Prior to the official visit to Portugal, scheduled soon, in a symbolic year in which Angola marks 50 years of independence, João Lourenço addressed aspects of the relationship between the two states in an exclusive interview with CNN Portugal
In an exclusive interview with CNN Portugal, Angolan President João Lourenço expressed “some uncomfortable” with the new law of nationality approved by the Portuguese government, warning of the risks that the measure can represent for bilateral relations and the future of the community of Portuguese -speaking countries (CPLP).
“We are following the situation very carefully. There is some annoyance. The least we demand is that Portugal does not treat immigrants who have chosen the country as a destination to make their lives worse than the Portuguese were treated in the countries that welcomed them,” said the Angolan head of state.
Despite recognizing that each country has the right to manage their borders, João Lourenço warns of the need to follow good international practices: “Today are some, tomorrow will be others. In the past were others. Portugal is a country of emigrants, their history is deeply linked to emigration.”
Regarding the theme with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa when visiting Portugal, João Lourenço was clear: “It is our obligation to prevent the CPLP from crumpling. We will all work together so as not to dismiss this great community project.”
Angola does not see Portugal as the only gateway to Europe
João Lourenço rejects the idea that Portugal is the gateway to Angola in Europe, stating that the African country has the freedom and ability to establish direct relations with any European country.
“The gateway from Europe to Africa is not Portugal, not even Angola. We can talk to any European country directly,” he argues.
The president highlights the progress made in the country since 1975, recognizing that not everything was resolved, but reaffirming that independence was worth it.
“We in 50 years have done much more than the colonial regime has done in 500 years in virtually every domain. In roads, schools, hospitals, energy, in all these domains we did,” he lists.
Asked about economic relations with Portugal, João Lourenço said he wanted to see a larger Portuguese investment in productive sectors such as industry, agriculture, fishing and tourism, and less in commerce.
“Fortunately, this is already happening. Some companies have just stopped selling and decided to produce locally,” he says.
On the opposite side, it was critical of Angolan public investment in Portugal in recent years, which has been, in many cases, appropriate for private interests.
“What happened was that the money was from the state, but the investment was registered in the name of A, B or C. We are talking about the case of Galp, Efacec. Some smart or smart man put the investment in his name and the image of Angola was stained with this attitude,” he says.
“Justice must arrive” in the case Isabel dos Santos
Without rodeo, João Lourenço addressed the case of businesswoman Isabel dos Santos, denying any kind of political persecution by the Angolan authorities.
“If Portugal and the Netherlands are also investigating, they are also doing political persecution? Justice is doing their work. Angola has not forgotten and continues to wait for justice to be done. Let’s wait patiently. Justice sometimes slow, but always arrives.”
It further underlines that family affiliation should not be used as a shield: “When someone presumably committed a crime, one should not think first of those who are a child. People, when they go around 18, are no longer children of, they are citizens.”
Angola and the new global balance
João Lourenço also positions Angola as a valid interlocutor in the construction of a new world order, capable of maintaining good relations with various political blocks and countries.
“Angola can be better used to talk to everyone, we have this ability. We have the courage to say eyes in the eyes when our partners are wrong, we have done so with Vladimir Putin about Russian aggression to Ukraine. Angola Pauta for having good relationships, preferably, with all countries around the world,” he says.
The head of state criticizes the use of force to impose global changes: “A new social order was necessary, it was imposed, but never by the force of arms. Through a United Nations, the World Bank, the IMF. Unfortunately a new world map is being drawn. We do not expect good days in the future.”
Presidential succession and internal challenges
Asked about the succession in Angola, João Lourenço recognizes thinking “every day” on the subject, underlining his role in choosing a capable successor.
“I can’t let the country stay in the hands of any. My fight is to do everything to find someone who does for Angola, at least, the same or, preferably, better than I did,” he argues.
Regarding internal protests, João Lourenço minimizes their relevance: “Sometimes people manifest themselves for no apparent reason.”
