On Wednesday, the chief executive signed a decree that contemplates exceptional measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including the closing of air, sea and land borders to the circulation of passengers, since 00:00 on 20 March by, at least 15 days.
"Conscience tells me that I have not violated any fundamental rule and I have not set a bad example for Angolan citizens," João Lourenço told public television TPA, reacting to criticism against the fact that the president traveled to Namibia the day after he entered border suspension in force.
João Lourenço recalled that the presidential decree opens "some exceptions" that include "extraordinary circumstances" that can lead state entities to carry out missions abroad.
Among the exceptions are also flights authorized by the government to transport Angolans who wanted to return to the country and Portuguese citizens who wanted to go to Portugal
"We authorized the entry of Angolan citizens who were in risky countries, in Lisbon and Porto because they were nationals and had a return ticket practically upon the time the decree came out, knowing that we were at risk of having another infected, he said.
Within the scope of the exceptions, flights were also authorized for some oil companies and for the repatriation of Portuguese citizens.
"We let planes from risky countries enter our space as part of a humanitarian mission that is provided for in the decree," he said.
Regarding the trip to Namibia, he considered that it is not a high-risk country and underlined that "they had the good sense to change" the initial ceremony, which was planned for a stadium, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the country's independence , eventually being held at the Presidential Palace, where João Lourenço stayed just three hours.
He noted that relations between the two countries, "more than friendship, are brotherhood", and that other Namibian neighbors such as Zimbabwe or Botswana were also present.
"We understand that we should take into account a balance point: on the one hand, respect the measures that we define ourselves, on the other hand, respect and honor these bonds of friendship and brotherhood", he said, adding: "we have a sense of responsibility and a sense of state ".
He also considered that the criticisms of his displacement demonstrate that "Angolan citizens are free to express themselves" and exercise their "right to express an opinion on whether they have done well or badly".
Angola announced on Saturday the first two positive cases of infection by coronavirus, related to two Angolan citizens who traveled on 17 and 18 March from Portugal.
