The President of Angola emphasized Angola’s active role in resolving conflicts in Africa

This Wednesday, the Angolan President emphasized Angola’s active role in seeking to resolve conflicts in Africa, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRCongo), as he believes that persistence leads to good results.

João Lourenço spoke at the opening of the third Pan-African Forum for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence – the Luanda Biennale, which runs until Friday in the Angolan capital, with the opening ceremony attended by the Presidents of Cape Verde, José Maria das Neves, Sao Tome and Principe, Carlos Vila -Nova (Ethiopia), Sale-Work Zeved, Deputy Director of UNESCO Xing Qu, President of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Mahmat.

The forum is held twice a year under the motto “Education, a culture of peace and African citizenship as tools for the sustainable development of the continent.”

The head of state of Angola emphasized the importance of the issue of peace and peaceful coexistence in societies for African countries, “where it is extremely important to carry out constant pedagogy, especially among young people,” for the need to protect and preserve peace, as an essential condition for the economic and social development of countries.

“Since independence and for three consecutive decades, Angola has been experiencing the sad reality of armed conflict between the children of the same mother country, which has left us with extremely useful lessons, prompting us to disarm our spirit and take the path of peace, reconciliation, harmony, understanding and peaceful coexistence among all and making our country a space in which we can all devote ourselves to the tasks of progress and development,” he said.

According to the President of Angola, although cultural diversity is an undeniable social asset, its distortion can create social tensions and even unnecessary conflicts, so the theme of the forum aims to “create new paradigms and increase respect for differences as a cornerstone in building societies increasingly resistant to violence “

João Lourenço said that it is necessary to reflect on the relevance of developing public policies aimed at a culture of peace, which should be considered not just as a concept, but as a principle that should be included in the national development strategies of countries.

Promoting a culture of peace, continued João Lourenço, implies the value of the collective, encourages respect for differences, enshrines diversity as a source of wealth that must be protected and can act as a driving factor in strengthening social justice, equality and inclusion.

According to the Angolan President, the African continent is largely composed of young people who have a set of aspirations and expectations for their future, “which we must strive to live up to, always taking into account their role as a force of change, of evolution.” , progress, development and building creative and innovative societies.”

João Lourenço defended initiatives aimed at bringing a definitive end to conflicts in Africa and launching “without any restrictions” the process of sustainable development in Africa, calling for concerted action by all with the active participation of the AU and citing problematic examples. such as Sudan, terrorist activities in the Sahel region and coups d’état in some West and Central African countries.

“This situation has not always merited our strongest condemnation and resistance, and there are even cases where coup plotters are treated in the same way as legitimate holders of power, which is contrary to the principles and values ​​defended by the African Union,” he said.