"The law that institutes the commemorative medal for the 50th anniversary of national independence, approved by the National Assembly, is now in force and published in the Official Gazette", reads a Government statement, to which VerAngola had access.
The diploma determines that the awarding of the medal will cover three categories: honor class, independence class and peace and development class.
"Law No. 2/25, of March 18, establishes that the medal will be awarded in three distinct categories, namely, the honor class, the independence class and the peace and development class", says the statement.
This initiative aims to recognize "citizens, entities, individuals or groups, national or foreign, who have made relevant contributions to achieving national independence, its preservation and national development", and the law also contemplates "the granting of decorations posthumously".
The honorary class is intended for heads of state and government, as well as "other high-ranking dignitaries, national or foreign, who have contributed in a particularly relevant way to the independence of Angola, the consolidation of peace and the development of the country".
The independence class will be awarded to "those who stood out in the fight for the country's liberation and contributed to the achievement of sovereignty", while "national or foreign entities that made a significant contribution to achieving peace and the country's development in the political, social, economic, military and diplomatic fields will be distinguished with the peace and development class".
"The medals, all gold, feature images of representative places in Angola, in accordance with the logo of the celebrations of 50 years of national independence," the note also says.
According to the approved legislation, the statement says, it will be up to the President of the Republic, as head of state, to award the medal commemorating the 50th anniversary of national independence.
