Speaking to the press after the first CIVICOP meeting of the year, the minister explained that the handover of the remains will take place after a "rigorous process of verification, testing and genetic-laboratory certification" has been carried out.
"At the end of the meeting, in statements to the press, Minister Marcy Lopes announced that, after a rigorous process of verification, testing and genetic-laboratory certification, CIVICOP will proceed tomorrow [Friday] to hand over the remains of three general officers killed during the period of armed conflict in the country to their respective families. These are the remains of Generals Altino Bango Sapalo Bock, Antero and Assobio da Bala", reads a statement from the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, to which VerAngola had access.
On the occasion, quoted by Angop, he also said that the commission will continue working to locate as many graves as possible and identify the places and any people buried there.
"In the same way, identifying the families with the help of the local population, so that the genetic tests required to determine the identity of these people can then be carried out", he added.
Regarding the "progress of the construction of the monument in honour of the victims of the political conflicts, Marcy Lopes explained that the works are being carried out by the Special Works Office and that, depending on budgetary conditions, the building should be completed soon", the ministry's note also states.
In turn, Cornélio Calei, a member of the committee, said that the entity has been raising awareness among communities with relatives who died between 1975 and 2002, following the political conflicts, so that they can go to the organisation for the necessary procedures.
He also spoke about UNITA's absence from the committee, stating that the party's seat "is still there".
"The meeting is open, the summons are always sent to UNITA. I suggest that they assume their role to join this project, in favour of national reconciliation", he said, quoted by Angop.
It should be noted that the commission "was created in 2019, under the guidance of the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, with a view to drawing up a general plan to pay tribute to the victims of the political conflicts that occurred in Angola, between 11 November 1975 and 4 April 2002", and that this commission is formed by "representatives of ministerial departments, defence and state security bodies, political parties, religious denominations and civil society".
