Angolan President Attends 50th Anniversary of Portugal's Carnation Revolution

Angolan President João Lourenço attended the 50th anniversary celebrations of Portugal's Carnation Revolution in Lisbon on Thursday, marking the end of the authoritarian Estado Novo regime implemented by António de Oliveira Salazar. The Carnation Revolution, also known as the April 25th Revolution, was a military coup on April 25, 1974, that overthrew the dictatorship and laid the groundwork for Portugal's transition to democracy.

Lourenço's presence at the commemorations highlights the strong connection between Angola and Portugal, as Angola was a Portuguese colony until it gained independence in 1975. The celebrations in Lisbon honored the peaceful nature of the revolution, which was marked by soldiers placing carnations in the barrels of their guns.

According to the secretary of the President of the Republic for Communication and Press, Luis Fernando, Lourenço was invited to this event, along with the leaders of other countries that faced the Salazar dictatorship in their historical process. "In the case of Angola, this process lasted almost 500 years," Fernando noted.

Portuguese Foreign Affairs Minister Paulo Rangel described Lourenço's presence as "incomparably symbolic", as the establishment of democracy in Portugal was the result of the liberation struggle of Portuguese-speaking African countries, making it a multilateral celebration. Rangel stated that cooperation with Angola is a priority for Portugal's foreign policy, and that the two countries have signed over 60 bilateral instruments in recent years.

The new Strategic Cooperation Program in 2023 will expand their cooperation to new sectors like tourism, public administration, digital transition, and the blue economy. Angolan Foreign Minister Téte António emphasized the ongoing historic and substantive relationship between the two countries.

Why this matters: The 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution and President Lourenço's attendance highlight the historical significance of the event and the strong ties between Angola and Portugal. The celebration serves as a reminder of the value of democracy and the ongoing cooperation between the two nations.

President Lourenço's visit to Lisbon for the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution reinforces the deep historical and cultural connections between Angola and Portugal. The celebration not only marks a pivotal moment in Portugal's history but also serves as a testament to the enduring relationship between the two countries, as they continue to strengthen their cooperation in various sectors and work towards a shared future.

Key Takeaways

• Angolan President João Lourenço attended Portugal's Carnation Revolution 50th anniversary.
• The revolution overthrew Portugal's dictatorship and paved the way for democracy.
• Lourenço's presence highlights the strong connection between Angola and Portugal.
• Portugal and Angola have signed over 60 bilateral instruments in recent years.
• The celebration serves as a reminder of the value of democracy and ongoing cooperation.