"It is evident that the sudden loss of the abysmal rights that some think is an unquestionable divine right, had to create organized resistance in an attempt to curb the momentum of the ongoing measures", declared the President in his opening speech of the III Ordinary Meeting of the MPLA Central Committee.
Without mentioning names, he spoke of people who had “an unreasonable ambition, but who, on the contrary, should be grateful for the executive's action”.
"If we let the party go on, maybe they would die of congestion from eating so much," he added.
He stressed that it was the MPLA that “had the courage to lead the fight against these negative and condemnable phenomena” by recognizing the damage caused by corruption and nepotism to the economy and the citizens, but added that this struggle is no longer just the MPLA and the opposition, but of the whole society.
A struggle that, he continued, “will penalize those who give it up or intend to return to the past”.
In his speech, João Lourenço made a point of underlining that it is Angolan society that demands the continuation of this struggle “for the moral, reputation and economic gains” that the country will benefit.
He also left a message for the “dissenting voices” of the way the struggle has been developed, namely people and institutions that believe that it is possible to fight corruption with education and awareness campaigns and an appeal to patriotism, dispensing with the need for justice.
All of these actions are important and necessary, but “they serve to educate and prevent citizens not to take the wrong path”, since corruption is a crime for those involved, “there is no way to avoid the intervention of the organs of justice ”, stressed João Lourenço.
He also pointed out that the State was “benevolent and magnanimous” in giving a grace period of six months, almost equivalent to an amnesty, for anyone who wanted to voluntarily repatriate capital abroad or assets illegally acquired in the country.
“The previous situation has benefited many people inside and outside who are obviously not satisfied with the current situation and, therefore, struggle with all their might to see if it is still possible to reign in paradise and use all means to discredit the process ongoing ”, accused the head of the Angolan executive.
He also guaranteed that he will maintain his political stance and courage in the face of the phenomenon of corruption, because that way "the party will emerge stronger" and in better conditions to face the challenges that lie ahead.
João Lourenço concluded his speech by congratulating the change of leadership in some parties with parliamentary seats, affirming the desire to maintain a constructive dialogue and healthy relations of friendship and work with the new leaders.
