ANGOLAN PRESIDENT CALLS FOR STRENGTHENED MILITARY CAPACITY IN RESPONDING TO THREATS

 President João Lourenço was speaking Thursday at a meeting with the heads of the country's Defence and Security forces, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA).

The president said that although the economy is the first priority on the agenda of State responsibilities, it is crucial to focus on the maintaining Defence and Security forces with a high capacity to respond to all possible internal and external threats.

At the meeting, the president João Lourenço acknowledged the role of defence and security in ensuring the economy and private investment".

"Meanwhile, the fact that the best economic powers in the world are also the greatest military powers justifies this need and this also applies to the universe of all other countries", he stressed.

The head of State said that Defence and Security forces are essential to the survival of any state, but always represent a huge spending to any country's budget.

Despite their importance in all circumstances, including situations of peace and stability, their staff must be permanently adjusted according to the greater or lesser imminence of conflict, he added.

According to the Head of State, 18 years after the end of the armed conflict and the achievement of peace, the great challenge today is, without a doubt, the creation of premises for the organisation of the national economy.

He considered this condition fundamental for the country's economic and social development and the consequent attainment of the population's well-being.

He acknowledged that it was necessary to resize the FAA, cautioning the maintenance process of  their operational capacity, with less staff, better prepared and with more modern and efficient weapon and techniques.

"We are also called upon to find some self-sufficiency in the production of food, uniforms and boots, barracks utensils and other logistical goods of daily consumption", he added.

To mark the anniversary of the Army,  on 17th December, the FAA Commander-in-Chief paid tribute to the thousands of young Angolans who, for decades, gave their sweat and shed blood in defence of the country.

"The country lost some of its best children, the sacrifice was enormous, but it was only worth it and perhaps it was the military who best understood the scope of peace and national reconciliation among Angolans," said the President of the Republic.

As for freedom of expression, João Lourenço defended an exercise of authority without excess. He called for orderly demonstrations and warned military leaders to be aware of international phenomena in the field of defence and security.

The Head of State condemned the desecration of the statue of the first President of Angola, António Agostinho Neto, in Luanda’s Largo da Independência, during a recent demonstration.

A communique will be released at the end of the meeting, which takes place behind closed doors.