Cuito Cuanavale - The minister of National Defense, Former Combatants and Veterans of the Homeland, João Ernesto dos Santos "Liberdade", announced Saturday, in Cuito Cuanavale, the construction, soon, of a historical-military collection, in memory of former combatants.
João Ernesto dos Santos made this announcement when he was speaking at the central event of the 36th anniversary of the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale and the sixth year since it was elevated as the date of liberation of Southern Africa.
According to the minister, the ministerial department he heads is carrying out a survey of monuments, memorials and sites of historical-military interest, to honor the memory of former combatants.
The minister indicated that the construction of the aforementioned infrastructures, considered a national historico-military heritage and otherwise, will take place in the provinces of Cabinda, Ntó, Cuanza-Sul, Ebo, Cunene, Cahama, Moxico, Cangamba and Samunjimo , and in Lunda Sul, in Dala.
Regarding the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, João Ernesto dos Santos recognized that it was a heroic act by former combatants that broke the invincibility of the then racial segregation regime, Apartheid, allowing the release of Nelson Mandela and the independence of Namibia.
He mentioned that, in order to convey the historical significance of the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, 180 young people from 18 provinces were invited to that town, who witnessed the phases of the war, engraved on the memorial to the fallen heroes, an event that will soon continue with young people from other Southern African Member States.
On the occasion, he paid a simple tribute to the former fighters of the then FAPLA, in particular General António Valeriano, who died in 2023, for his contribution to the conquest of the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, Angola's affirmation in the context of the Nations and Liberation of Southern Africa, in general.
On the occasion, the minister pointed out the steps being taken to promote agricultural activity, with the opening of the perimeters of Camacupa, Bié, Manquete, in Cunene and the agro-industrial project on the Samba Lucala farm, Cuanza Sul, as the most obvious examples.
Alongside these projects, João Ernesto dos Santos "Liberdade" said there are others that contribute to improving the living conditions of ex-soldiers and former combatants who, organized in agricultural and agro-industrial cooperatives, are the biggest beneficiaries of technical means, as tractors to support those assisted.
The event was attended by the Chairwoman of the second Committee of the National Assembly, Ruth Mendes, members of the Executive, Chief of the General Staff of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA), diplomatic corps accredited in Angola, traditional and religious authorities, among
others present. ALK/FF/PLB/TED/jmc
