"I think that the responsibility and the solution for us to get out of the situation we find ourselves in effectively involves, let's say, a popular revolution. Therefore, it is citizenship that will free us. It is the people, despite the fragility of each individual, [because], together, we can generate a transformation of great proportions like never before in the history of Angola", defended Domingos da Cruz, in a video conference.
The Angolan activist and teacher, who spoke at Lisbon Speed Talk, an initiative of the Clube de Lisboa with the support of the Lisbon City Council and the Marquês de Vale Flor Institute, considered that "this transformation is possible" and gave as an example the movement in course in Kenya, protesting against a proposal by the President, William Ruto, to set new taxes, which was annulled due to popular outcry.
"Now that we are talking, there is a movement underway in Kenya. Ruto has retreated and now the protesters are saying that it is not enough to withdraw the law. Now it is Ruto who must leave", highlighted Domingos da Cruz.
Angola, he added, is "a country in which experience has shown that the ruling elite does not dialogue. It is constantly thinking, planning how to maintain power for power's sake, power without a societal project and only power for the benefits that power can bring to your group, to those closest to you".
For Domingos da Cruz, change in Angola is necessary "because there are, from an institutional point of view, channels to [exit] the situation".
"The captured institutions, let's say, elections, are not actually elections, they are simulacra of elections and that is exactly how it happens in authoritarian regimes. It would be, let's say, amazing if there were elections in a dictatorship. And, therefore, without any channel of transformation, as there is no possibility of anything for a transition like those that happen in open societies, the only way is for the people to call upon what is their natural power", he reiterated.
Domingos da Cruz said he recognizes that he sees no other way.
"Regarding the exit, I don't see any other way, frankly, other than for the people to say 'enough, enough'. Enough of the delay, enough of this oppression that is carried out based on a farce of democracy", he concluded.
