In his opening speech for the 2nd ordinary session of the Council of Ministers, taking place this Tuesday in Luanda, João Lourenço stated that he has followed "with great attention" the debates around the acquired nationality of leaders of political parties that aspire "someday running for the office of the nation's highest magistracy", stressing that the analysis has been misrepresented.
"The analysis of the purpose of the debate has been manipulated and distorted for the convenience of a few as if the subject were dual nationality for most citizens, a condition that today is not forbidden for any Angolan except the exception provided for in the Constitution", highlighted.
At stake is the president of the main opposition party, Adalberto da Costa Júnior, who abdicated Portuguese nationality to run for the leadership of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) - to which he was elected in November 2019.
Adalberto da Costa Júnior denounced being the target of racist attacks by the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) due to the content of a statement from the Political Bureau of the ruling party that attacked "unscrupulous political leaders, who are foreign citizens after all and for that reason they carry out an agenda contrary to the interests of Angola ", following the incidents that occurred in the mining town of Cafunfo.
The issue has sparked controversy in society and deserved the repudiation of the former prime minister, also of the MPLA, Marcolino Moco, who criticized the "racist and xenophobic bullying" against the UNITA leader.
João Lourenço said the criticisms of some national policy analysts that point to the emergence of "a campaign to incite racism and xenophobia in a country like Angola, which has paid a heavy price with the loss of human and structures "in their fight against racism.
"It is not realistic and credible to speak of a plan to encourage racism and xenophobia", underlined the chief executive, adding that the struggle for national emancipation and independence was at the same time against racial segregation and racism.
"To tolerate racism and xenophobia would be to deny our historical proposal", he emphasized, assuring that the State is attentive and "does not see worrying signs, but if they appear they will be combated and remedied quickly".
For João Lourenço, the noise surrounding this "false problem" seeks above all to "foster the division between Angolans, between the different tribes and ethnic groups that make up our rich and vast cultural mosaic and who have always lived and will continue to live in perfect harmony" .
The President also noted his concern about the widespread emergence of the desecration of national symbols and historical figures, as well as the destruction, theft and vandalization of public goods, from transformation posts to schools and other infrastructure "which have cost the state coffers a great deal" .
This has been an "activity almost always carried out by young people with greed for easy profit" who are not concerned with the damage caused to the community of which they themselves are a part, he said, adding that the authorities will redouble efforts to combat this type of crime .
João Lourenço concluded, however, that "young people do not destroy, they build", having been the ones who built independence, peace and reconciliation and are today rebuilding the country's infrastructure and the future.
"Young Angolan, do not get carried away by bad advice, bad company, do not want to become famous for the refusal to practice acts that in no way dignify Angolan youth", he urged.
