"The Angolan Executive, in accordance with its budgetary capabilities and in the interests of National Defence and Security, will continue to implement policies aimed at improving social conditions, infrastructure, barracks, weapons, technical and material resources, and improving working and training conditions, thereby enhancing the value of our personnel", said the Head of State.
In his message, to which VerAngola had access, João Lourenço indicates that the act of establishing the FAA, which resulted from the "merger of two armies that were in conflict, represents a great historical example of good memory at an international level".
Considering that the FAA, "aware of the role that the Constitution of the Republic of Angola confers on them, continues and will continue to be an important factor in political stability, national reconciliation, consolidation of peace and a symbol of national unity".
"Technological and scientific developments at an international level require the Angolan Armed Forces to continue developing their human, technical and technological capabilities to meet the challenges and threats that arise," he said, adding: "It is also essential to continue with the ongoing restructuring, resizing, re-equipping and rejuvenation actions in the Armed Forces, with a view to innovating, modernizing and developing their combat capacity".
He therefore reiterated the continued implementation of policies aimed at these improvements.
"In the context of the peace we are experiencing, in addition to the continuous and necessary preparation and combat readiness, it is important that the Angolan Armed Forces become capable of intervening in social tasks and other tasks of national public interest, as well as participating in international missions, as enshrined in the Constitution and the Law, and other international instruments to which Angola is a party," he pointed out.
According to the President of the Republic, the FAA, "within the scope of its missions to defend and safeguard national sovereignty, must continue to maintain close cooperation with other Defence and Security bodies in the fight against organised crime", as well as in protecting borders, "maintaining public order and tranquillity, and participating in community activities and environmental preservation".
In his message, the Head of State also spoke of the international context, considering that the international political situation "is characterised by some localised military conflicts, with a tendency to expand, with emphasis on the military conflicts in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Sudan, between Russia and Ukraine (which has been going on for over two years) and the conflict spreading in the Middle East, which could endanger International Peace and Security, with negative consequences for world peace".
João Lourenço did not forget to congratulate all the troops: "Therefore, in view of the festive moment of the 33rd anniversary, I warmly congratulate all general officers, admirals, senior officers, captains and subalterns, sergeants and enlisted men, as well as the civilian workers who, from their respective military units, establishments and bodies, have ensured the uncompromising defence of our independence, sovereignty and national integrity, creating the conditions of security and stability necessary for the economic development and social progress of our country".
In the end, he also urged "all general officers, admirals, senior officers, captains and subalterns, sergeants, enlisted men and civilian workers to increase their technical-military and professional knowledge", as well as to reinforce "patriotism and loyalty to the country, respecting the principles that emanate from the military institution, because 'the country does not beg its children, it commands!'".
It should be noted that the FAA was created on 9 October 1991, following the Peace Agreements for Angola, which were signed on 31 May 1991, in Portugal/Bicesse.
