The chef of State spoke as president in the exercise of the African Union (AU), through a pre-recorded video that was broadcast during the commemoration of Africa Day, on May 25, by African ambassadors in Portugal in Taguspark, in the municipality of Oeiras, in Lisbon.
Second president of the AU, Africa "does not want to continue to be just a continent waiting for support, but rather a strategic actor in construction, offering solutions for itself and for the world."
In its words, celebrating Africa means renewing faith in its potential and capacity to overcome adversities, to affirm collective responsibility and reinforce the commitment to "sincere, respectful and ambitious cooperation."
However, the chef of state said that this moment is more than a commemoration. We also want to evoke two ideas that inspired the figures that built the first alicerces of African continental unity, among them Amílcar Cabral (Guiné-Bissau and Cape Verde) and Agostinho Neto (Angola).
The President emphasizes that there are daily challenges to the construction and preservation of a united, strong and sovereign Africa, "capable of making a single voice at the international dinner."
"We highlight, among these, the quest of peace and security, as we register, with concern, that in many regions of the continent we continue to live in situations of instability due to transnational terrorism and violent extremism, armed conflicts and intercommunity tensions, among other massacres", said.
The chef of State refers to what is together, on the continent, as political and institutional crises, "many times characterized by institutional changes in government and transitions contested as the enfraquecimento of the State of Direito and a fragile government."
João Lourenço stated that UA is particularly concerned "with people who live in conflict zones, often forced to flee their homes, becoming displaced internally or refugees in vulnerable countries and denied a safe life."
Therefore, we appeal to respect for the principles of solidarity, cooperation and respect, so that we can "continue to build a more integrated Africa, where borders become bridges and no longer barriers."
On the other hand, he declared that from a socioeconomic point of view, Africa is doing everything "that is within its reach" to "face the challenge of inclusive development, in an uncertain global context."
Despite these words, in his words, where also address several challenges such as youth employment, limited access to education, health and housing, the insufficiency of infrastructure essential to development, a very low level of industrialization, and economies little diversified, the effects of climatic changes and the growing divide of certain countries.
"Notwithstanding the two challenges we face, let us maintain unwavering faith in the future of Africa that now, more than ever, embodies a continent of hope and optimism," he concluded.
He met with the representation of countries such as Angola, Algeria, Cape Verde, Costa do Marfim, Egypt, Guiné-Bissau, Guiné Equatorial, Libya, Morocco, Moçambique, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Tunísia and the executive secretary of the Portuguese Language Community, Zacarias da Costa.
