The minister of National Defense and Motherland Veterans, João Ernesto dos Santos “Liberdade”, highlighted this Tuesday (4), in Cabinda, that the 4th of January 1961 is an unavoidable reference in the trajectory of the resistance against the colonial occupation, which drove the Angolan people into an armed struggle for liberation until National Independence, on November 11, 1975.
In the central act of the Day of the Martyrs of Colonial Repression, which took place under the motto “January 4, 1961 and January 4, 2022, 61 years of honor and glory to the brave heroes of Baixa de Cassanje”, the minister stated that the date it should deserve greater dissemination so that the new generations are aware of what really happened.
“The acts of heroism and bravery of the brave children of Angola, who were protagonists in the conquest and preservation of National Independence, territorial integrity, peace, unity, national reconciliation and the Democratic State and Law must continue to be exalted and exalted, because they are achievements that should not be forgotten as they are the pride of the Angolan people”, he said.
He appealed to former combatants and veterans of the country, organized in associations, to participate actively and patriotically in the celebrations of the 4th of January, in order to contribute to the aggrandizement of the rich Angolan history.
Dignity to pensioners
The Minister of National Defense and Motherland Veterans said that the process of re-registration of proof of life, interrupted for a year due to Covid-19, resumed last year throughout the national territory and allowed for the re-registration of 77,509 pensioners, out of the 162,300 foreseen.
He acknowledged that many pensioners did not take the proof of life for various reasons, having assured that, under the law, a period of three months for complaints will be granted. “With the end of this process, the Executive will be in a position to carry out studies to raise the pensions table with the aim of dignifying the beneficiaries, who, under the terms of the Constitution and the Law, enjoy special protection from the State and society”, he referred.
He added that efforts are underway with a view to approving the bill for the Special Protection of the Former Combatant and Veteran of the Motherland, containing innovations on the dignity of men who defended the motherland. He reiterated that everything is being done to implement various economic and social programs and projects, with the aim of providing social resilience and income-generating opportunities and economic autonomy in order to contribute to the fight against hunger and poverty.
On the occasion, the governor of Cabinda, Marcos Alexandre Nhunga, said that the cry for independence launched by Mandume, Rainha Ginga, Mutu-ya-Kevela and other patriots was crucial for the Angolan people to feel free and become owners today. destiny and socio-economic development.
“Talking about Angola is talking about its history and the most dramatic moments experienced by the people, who lived in very difficult conditions. Today, the ideals of the peasants remain, who, with the blood spilled, strengthen the new generations. With the spirit of the martyrs of Angola Downtown Cassanje, the Angolan people remain united, from Cabinda to Cunene”, he reinforced.
On the other hand, the president of the Federation of Former Combatants and Veterans of the Motherland, Ludgério Peliganga, recognized the efforts that the Executive is developing to approve policies and programs of special protection for this social group.
“We reaffirm that the dignity of former combatants and veterans of the motherland must be found in an active activity aimed at autonomy and socioeconomic sustainability. We ask the Ministry to obtain due priority from the competent State bodies so that the Draft Law on Former Combatants and Motherland Veterans, widely discussed and enriched, be scheduled and approved by the National Assembly at the beginning of this legislative year”, he said.
The central event was attended by members of the provincial Government, the Ministry of National Defense and Motherland Veterans, deputies to the National Assembly, judges and the Public Ministry, heads of Defense, Security and Internal Order bodies, former combatants and veterans Fatherland, religious and traditional authorities.
Government of Cunene guarantees well-being to former combatants
The 4th of January was also celebrated in the province of Cunene, on the occasion the deputy governor for the Political, Economic and Social Sector of the province of Cunene, Apolo Ndinaulenga, stated that the Government has been working to improve the living conditions of former combatants .
Apolo Ndinaulenga also said that “celebrating this date is always a reason for great satisfaction and tribute to those who, without measuring efforts, fearlessly gave themselves to defeat Portuguese colonialism”.
Apolo Ndinaulenga called on everyone to continue to preserve the great achievements, through dedication to the work of maintaining national unity and peace, solidarity, fighting evils such as corruption and nepotism.
Martyrs’ Day Holiday
The nationalist Amadeu Amorim defended, yesterday, in Luanda, that the Day of the Martyrs of Colonial Repression is once again a national holiday, due to the importance of the date that indicates the courage of the Angolan people in the struggle for independence.
Amadeu Amorim made these statements to the press after the deputy governor of Luanda province, for the Political and Social Sphere, Dionisio da Fonseca, placed a wreath of flowers in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Sant’Ana cemetery. He stressed that January 4, 1961 and March 29, 1959 should be historic moments, because these were the dates where “the cry” that boosted the struggle for independence in Angola came out.
Amadeu Amorim was dissatisfied with the way in which the ephemeris has been celebrated, where the deposition of the wreath is the highest point.
The secretary general of the 4 de Janeiro Association (Baixa de Cassanje), Jesus Alfredo, defended the construction of a monument that symbolizes all those involved in the battle. “Partnerships are being made with private companies to implement projects in the Baixa de Cassanje area. In 1961, dozens of people
people were decimated, marking the beginning of the opposition to the colonial occupation, above all the disrespect for humanity”.
Joaquim Suami |Cabinda Adelaide Mualimusi | Ondjiva
