João Lourenço was speaking this Thursday at the opening ceremony of the VIII ordinary congress of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), marked by the tribute to several historical figures of the party that has governed the country since 1975 and musicians with political intervention in the liberation struggle, and the absence of its president emeritus, José Eduardo dos Santos, a figure who was not mentioned at any time during the session.
In his speech, João Lourenço, who is running alone to succeed him in this VIII ordinary congress, which ends on Saturday, highlighted on this date dedicated to the fight against corruption that Angola, under the direction of the MPLA, is carrying out a fight against this phenomenon and impunity for the moralization of society.
"On this 9th of December, consecrated as a day to fight corruption, we reiterate the determination of society, the government and the Angolan justice to fight corruption and our commitment to recover illicitly acquired assets wherever they are found", he underlined.
João Lourenço also referred to the country's economic situation, affected by the covid-19 pandemic and the global economic crisis, noting that, despite these constraints, he is optimistic that Angolans will renew their confidence in the MPLA's leadership, in the general elections of August 2022, as a result of "work, dedication and commitment to solutions for the country and citizens" and for all that has been done for the well-being of the population.
In this congress, continued João Lourenço, is also the mark that, for the first time in the history of Angola, a political party reached gender parity, with its Central Committee divided in half between men and women.
"For the first time in the history of Angolan politics, a political party achieves gender parity in its highest governing body and that party is our glorious MPLA. From now on, nothing will be the same, we have raised the bar very high, which, for sure, will have a strong influence on the whole of society", he stressed, also highlighting the rejuvenation of the political organization, with a proposal for 35 percent of its Central Committee to be composed of young people, between 18 and 35 years old.
"We are committed to promoting Angolan women and youth, reserving them a prominent place in the governing bodies of our party at different levels and in different institutions of power in Angola, in the executive, in the National Assembly and in society in general", he said.
According to João Lourenço, the party has been making, in a smooth and safe way, the generational transition in the management bodies over time, "ensuring that all the source of patriotism, wisdom, experience, determination, fighting spirit and will to winning, which have always characterized the precursors in the national liberation struggle, in the woods, in jails, in hiding, in the defense of national sovereignty, in national reconstruction, in the defense of peace and national reconciliation, had continuity in the younger cadres and leaders".
At the opening session of the congress, various historical figures of the party were honored with the medal of vanguard militant, including Roberto de Almeida, Paulo Julião "Dino Matrosse", França Ndalu, Santana André Pitra Petrof, Faustino Muteka, Nzau Puna and others, who, at his request, now leave the Central Committee of the party.
"Today we pay here a fair and deserved tribute to some of our party's leading and leading figures, for all they have done over the decades and we believe they will continue to do for our party, but, more importantly, for our country" , said the MPLA president, who was also honored with the December 10 medal, the highest distinction in the party.
According to João Lourenço, "the MPLA is the most attractive party, judging not only by the growth of its ranks, but also by the militants' appetite for wanting to integrate the governing bodies at all levels".
This desire is verified, he said, "even though being a member of the Central Committee does not ensure any type of privileges, nor is it in itself a carte blanche to be catapulted to the condition of deputy and member of the executive".
The congress takes place under the motto "MPLA - For a more Developed, Democratic and Inclusive Angola". The party marks 65 years of existence on Friday.
