Luanda - The laying of a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier marked, Saturday, the celebrations of Southern African Liberation Day (23 March), in the Angolan capital.
The event, presided over by the governor of Luanda Province, Manuel Homem, served to honor all the soldiers who gave their lives for the liberation of Southern Africa.
The initiative took place under the motto “For the Socio-economic Development of Southern Africa, Let us Honor the Combatants of the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale”.
Speaking to the press at the end of the event, governor Manuel Homem highlighted the great symbolism of this date for Angolans and Southern Africa.
He stressed that the Cuito Cuanavale Battle, which took place between November 15, 1987, and March 23, 1988, was "a lot of sacrifice" for the Angolans. He recalled that 36 years ago the battle came to an end, thus heralding a broad program of change in the course of Namibia's history and the end of the Apartheid regime in South Africa.
The region of Cuito Cuanavale, south-eastern province of Cuando-Cubango, was the stage of a fierce military confrontation invoving the then People’s Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola (FAPLA), supported by Cuban forces (FAR), and the military forces of UNITA, supported by the South African segregationist regime of Apartheid.
In addition to the governor of Luanda, who presided over the event, the deputy provincial governors of Luanda, representatives of defense and security bodies, municipal administrators, provincial directors, former combatants and veterans of the country, members of civil society, among other entities were present in the act. LIN/OHA/TED/jmc
