In a letter addressed to the President of the Republic, Alcides Sakala Simões, a member of parliament and chairman of the Committee for International Relations, International Cooperation and Angolan Communities Abroad of the National Assembly, he thanks the gesture of appreciation, but states that he will not be present nor will he be represented.
"This decision is the result of a profound reflection on the political and historical moment of the country and the realization that there are still omissions in the recognition of national memory, namely the exclusion of Holden Roberto and Jonas Malheiro Savimbi – two leaders who played central roles in the process of fighting for national liberation", explains the UNITA politician.
Angola gained independence on November 11, 1975, but the historic moment was marked by deep divisions between the three nationalist movements. The MPLA, led by Agostinho Neto, the FNLA, led by Holden Roberto, and UNITA, led by Jonas Savimbi – separately proclaimed the country's independence, each from the territories they controlled.
The MPLA eventually took control of Luanda and formed a government, with Agostinho Neto becoming the first President of the Republic of Angola. However, the FNLA and UNITA refused to recognize this legitimacy and the country entered a violent civil war that lasted almost three decades.
In his letter to João Lourenço, Sakala emphasizes that "the history of Angola is made up of multiple voices and paths" and that "ignoring some of its key protagonists weakens the effort for reconciliation and the construction of an inclusive national identity".
The politician also emphasizes that "no one can change the past", but it is necessary to accept it "with integrity and a sense of history", as a basis for "a more just and peaceful future", affirming the need for an "inclusive perspective" on the common path of Angolans.
This Thursday and Friday, the President of the Republic will honor 697 personalities, including people linked to culture and the arts, politicians, former guerrillas and athletes.
This will be the second ceremony to award medals commemorating the 50th Anniversary of National Independence, which are divided into two categories: the Independence Class, which recognizes the contribution of historical figures in the fight against colonialism and in the founding of the Angolan State, and the Peace and Development Class, which recognizes the role of citizens in consolidating peace and building the country.
The second round of honors — with 252 honorees in the Independence Class and 445 in the Peace and Development Class — comes months after a controversial first ceremony, marked by the exclusion of Jonas Savimbi and Holden Roberto, and the absence of some of the honorees, including former UNITA president Isaías Samakuva, nationalists José Samuel Chiwale, Ernesto Mulato and Miraldina Jamba, also from UNITA.
Also on Thursday, some of the recipients declined the medal, such as activist Rafael Marques de Morais, while others did not attend, such as singer Bonga, or were simply represented, such as writers Pepetela and Luandino Vieira.
The cycle of awards will continue in the coming months, with new ceremonies scheduled until the end of 2025.
