Quifangondo, Angola.— With a tribute to the Angolan patriots and the Cuban internationalists who, united, carried out an imperishable and glorious epic of altruism and international solidarity in the Battle of Quifangondo, as part of the common struggle against colonialism, apartheid, and imperialism; for the independence, freedom, and national sovereignty of Angola; Political Bureau member Esteban Lazo Hernández, President of the National Assembly of People's Power and of the Council of State, began the fourth day of activities of his official visit to the sister African nation yesterday.
Accompanied by Heroes of the Republic of Cuba, Army Corps General Joaquín Quintas Solá, Vice Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, and Major General Ramón Pardo Guerra; as well as other members of the Cuban delegation, Lazo Hernández recalled the words of Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban Revolution, when he stated: “Angola is a brilliant, clean, honorable, and transparent page in the history of solidarity among peoples, in the history of internationalism, in the history of the Cuban people’s contribution to the cause of freedom and human betterment. Angola is also, for all these reasons, a milestone in Cuba’s own history,” as he signed the visitors’ book at the monument that pays tribute to the Battle of Quifangondo. There, he toured its different areas, which also commemorate the heroic Cuban internationalist contribution during the Angolan epic.
A TIME TO RENEW THE IMPETUS FOR JOINT PROJECTS
“It is a great honor to address you, on behalf of the Government and people of Cuba, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of our bilateral diplomatic relations. We established these close diplomatic ties half a century ago, when in Quifangondo, the Ebo highlands, and the narrow territory of Cabinda, we shared trenches to prevent Angola’s long-awaited independence from being thwarted by invading forces in the service of imperialism,” expressed the head of the Cuban Parliament at the main event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The fraternal event—which included the participation of General Francisco Pereira Furtado, Minister of State and Chief of the Military Household of the President of the Republic of Angola— And from Américo Cuononoca, first vice president of the National Assembly—, Lazo Hernández recalled that the links between the two nations had their genesis much earlier, since Cuba is a daughter of Africa, and from there we received a profound ethnic, religious, and cultural heritage that forms part of our nationality and idiosyncrasies. As Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro said, “Without Africa, without its sons and daughters, without its culture and customs, without its languages and its gods, Cuba would not be what it is today.” He especially emphasized that the descendants of Africa joined our struggles for independence while simultaneously fighting against slavery.
In his remarks, he highlighted as a glorious chapter in our shared history the arrival of Cuban combatants in Angola, where they deepened the bond with its people in the face of the invading forces supported by imperialism.
“At that crucial moment, Cubans, with Fidel’s undisputed leadership and guided by the principles of internationalism and solidarity, extended our hand. It was very gratifying to have been able to help proclaim genuine independence and to be one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the new Republic, just four days after that historic November 11, 1975,” the head of the Cuban Parliament stated.
Our relationship of cooperation and solidarity, which began in the midst of the battle for independence, Independence has become an example of South-South cooperation in various sectors, benefiting both peoples. For this reason, he acknowledged that this anniversary "is not only an opportunity to commemorate past battles and achievements, but also a time to renew the impetus for joint projects" in different areas of mutual interest.
Furthermore, he thanked João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, for the decoration conferred on November 6th upon the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, and Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, with the Medal for the 50th Anniversary of National Independence in its highest class, "Honor," and for his recognition of the Cuban people's contribution to the Angolan independence struggle and the end of apartheid.
"Cubans and Angolans are brothers by blood, dreams, and hopes. The ties between our historic leaders, Agostinho Neto and Fidel Castro, reflected this unique connection, which will endure always." As we celebrate this half-century of brotherhood and solidarity, our alliance is a living legacy. It is not a relic of the past, but a commitment to the future,” Lazo Hernández concluded.
Meanwhile, General Francisco Pereira Furtado, Minister of State and Chief of the Military Household of the President of the Republic of Angola, stated that “Cuba’s relations of friendship and solidarity with Angola were born in a context of struggle and are intrinsically linked by our shared history of fighting for freedom, and by the bonds of solidarity and internationalist brotherhood forged between our peoples.”
MEETINGS THAT STRENGTHEN BILATERAL TIES
During the day, the President of the National Assembly of People's Power held a cordial meeting with Adão Francisco Correia de Almeida, Minister of State and Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic, who was nominated on November 13 by the Political Bureau of the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) to the position of President of the National Assembly. This nomination will be presented to the Angolan Parliament for approval by the deputies at the session on the 17th of this month, according to Angolan press reports. Lazo Hernández congratulated Adão de Almeida on this nomination, while reaffirming his commitment to continue strengthening the already solid ties between the two legislative bodies.
Furthermore, he held a meeting with Mara Regina da Silva Batista Domingos Quiosa, Vice President of the MPLA, in which both parties agreed to strengthen inter-party, inter-parliamentary, and inter-governmental ties for the benefit of both peoples.
