In a note to which VerAngola had access, the Government informs that the Commission for the Commemorative Actions of the 50th Anniversary of Independence asks decorated citizens - or their respective family members - who did not attend the decoration ceremony to contact the commission to deliver the respective medal by next April 22nd.
"As this is a personal distinction, granted on an individual basis, the Interministerial Commission clarifies that the expression of will to withdraw or not to withdraw the award must be solely and exclusively that of the recipient or of the heirs, in the case of a posthumous award, with no legitimacy being recognized for political, associative or other organizations, even if the honoree is linked to them", says the Government, reinforcing that the medals are awarded personally and not to organizations or parties.
At the ceremony, held on Peace Day, João Lourenço was expected to award 247 individuals, 99 of whom were in the independence class and 148 in the peace and development class, but names such as Ernesto Joaquim Mulato, Isaías Samakuva and José Samuel Chiwale were absent.
The list of distinctions does not include the names of Jonas Savimbi, founder and president of UNITA, killed in combat on February 22, 2002, and Holden Roberto, leader of the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA), who, together with António Agostinho Neto, president of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and first President, led the three movements that fought against Portuguese colonialism. Subsequently, UNITA announced that it would not participate in the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of National Independence.
The commission reported that the next award ceremony will be held on May 16 and 17, "continuing the process of recognizing personalities whose achievements have proven to be decisive in the building and consolidation of the Angolan nation."
The Government is available to provide clarifications related to the matter, asking that they be directed to the telephone number 923 433 382 or to the email condecoracoes50anos@oapr.gov.ao.
