President Mnangagwa Joins Angola in Celebrating 50 Years of Independence

Harare – The President His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has departed Harare for Luanda, Angola, where he will join fellow Heads of State and Government in celebrating Angola’s Golden Jubilee of Independence.

The Southern African nation marks 50 years since attaining freedom from Portuguese colonial rule, a milestone symbolizing half a century of resilience, unity, and national progress.

President Mnangagwa’s attendance underscores Zimbabwe’s enduring solidarity with Angola — a bond forged in the fires of anti-colonial struggle and strengthened through decades of diplomatic, political, and economic cooperation.

Speaking before his departure at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe stood in full solidarity with Angola as it celebrates this historic milestone.

He described the anniversary as “a moment of pride not only for the Angolan people but for the entire African continent, whose collective sacrifices brought freedom and independence to our nations.”

He noted that Zimbabwe and Angola share a deep-rooted relationship built on shared liberation values and a common vision for peace, development, and regional integration.

“Angola’s journey is a reflection of Africa’s own story — one of courage, endurance, and determination to build sovereign nations that stand on the foundations of unity and self-determination,” President Mnangagwa said.

Angola gained independence on November 11, 1975, following years of armed resistance led by liberation movements such as the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA).

The country’s first President, Agostinho Neto, declared independence from Portugal, paving the way for Angola to take its place among the family of free African nations.

However, the early years of independence were marked by civil conflict, which lasted until 2002.

Since then, Angola has embarked on a comprehensive reconstruction and development agenda, transforming itself into one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies and a key player in regional and continental affairs.

This year’s Golden Jubilee celebrations are being held under the theme “50 Years of Independence: Peace, Stability, and Development.”

The theme encapsulates Angola’s commitment to consolidating peace and fostering inclusive national progress while honoring the memory of those who sacrificed for liberation.

President Mnangagwa’s visit comes at a time when Zimbabwe and Angola continue to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors, including energy, mining, agriculture, and defense.

The two nations are both members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and share common positions on regional stability, economic integration, and the protection of African sovereignty.

In recent years, Luanda and Harare have renewed efforts to enhance trade and investment ties. Diplomatic engagements between the two nations have focused on leveraging their comparative advantages — Zimbabwe’s industrial and agricultural potential and Angola’s oil and mineral wealth — to boost intra-African trade under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

President Mnangagwa is expected to hold bilateral discussions with his Angolan counterpart, President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, on the sidelines of the anniversary celebrations.

The talks are anticipated to focus on strengthening cooperation in key areas of mutual interest and exploring new opportunities for collaboration in infrastructure development and regional peacebuilding.

The President’s participation also reaffirms Zimbabwe’s foreign policy anchored on Pan-Africanism and solidarity among African nations.

Since assuming office, President Mnangagwa has consistently emphasized the importance of mutual cooperation and collective self-reliance among African states as the continent pursues sustainable economic transformation.

Observers note that Zimbabwe’s presence at Angola’s independence celebrations highlights the unbroken chain of liberation ties that continue to shape Africa’s political identity.

Both nations share a history of support for each other’s independence movements during the liberation era, with Angola having provided moral and logistical assistance to Southern African liberation fighters.

The Angolan independence struggle, much like Zimbabwe’s own war of liberation, was a testament to the determination of Africans to reclaim their destiny from colonial domination.

Today, the two nations stand as sovereign states charting their own paths toward prosperity and modernization.

As Angola marks its 50th Independence Anniversary, the celebrations are not only a national commemoration but also a continental reminder of Africa’s long march toward freedom and dignity.

President Mnangagwa’s attendance at the Golden Jubilee signifies Zimbabwe’s commitment to sustaining those bonds of brotherhood, solidarity, and cooperation that have long united the people of Africa.

The Angolan government has organized a series of national events, including a military parade, cultural exhibitions, and public concerts, to celebrate this historic occasion.

Thousands of citizens and international guests are expected to converge in Luanda to witness the festivities and pay tribute to the heroes of Angola’s liberation.

As Zimbabwe joins in commemorating Angola’s 50 years of independence, the spirit of Pan-African unity remains alive — a reminder that Africa’s greatest strength lies in the shared struggle and collective aspiration for peace, prosperity, and sovereignty.

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