Weza 15_English.indd - Embassy of Angola in the UK

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MAGAZINE OF EMBASSY OF ANGOLA
2015 N. 15
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MAGAZINE OF EMBASSY OF ANGOLA
WeZA JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015 N.15
director: Embaixador Miguel Neto
editor & Proofreading:
António Nascimento
Photography: Francisco Bernardo
and António Nascimento
translation: Marga Holness
graphic design: Cassius Design
Copies: 2000 copies
Printer: Creative Printer
graphic execution: Press Office
of the Embassy
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.angola.org.uk
Address: 22 Dorset Street, London
W1U 6QY United Kingdom
Tel: 020-72999850 Fax: 020-79354960
2015 N. 15
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MAGAZINE OF EMBASSY OF ANGOLA
2015 N. 15
POLITIC
president says country
eXperiencing tiMe of great
political and social stability
P
resident José Eduardo
dos Santos said in Luanda
recently that the country was experiencing a
period of great political
and social stability and state institutions were functioning normally.
Addressing the 31st meeting
of the Council of the Republic, he
stressed that the government had
approved a strategy to face up to
the current economic situation,
which contains the general basis on
which the State Budget Revision for
2015, adopted last December by the
National Assembly.
He went on to say that the substantial fall in the price of oil had
greatly affected state revenue, and
it was forecast that the oil
industry’s contribution to
the state budget, which had
been about 70 percent in
2014, would be only 36.5
“If this situation is not
percent this year.
‘If this situation is not
properly controlled and
properly controlled and the
country appropriately guided,
the country appropriately
this could affect the basis of
guided, this could affect
its economic and social stability,’ he said.
the basis of its economic
and social stability.”
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MAGAZINE OF EMBASSY OF ANGOLA
2015 N. 15
DIPLOmACY
coMpleXity of international relations of a
T
Georges Rebelo Chicoti, Angola’s Minister of External Relations
He also referred to Angola’s election as a
Non-Permanent Member of the United
Nations Security Council for the period
2015-2016 and the growing complexity of
international relations that require of Angola
more active diplomacy on behalf of peace and
progress in Africa and the world.
he 6th Annual Meeting
of Ambassadors, on
the theme “For Active
Diplomacy to Serve Peace
and Development”, was
held in Luanda on 9 February.
In his opening address, Georges
Rebelo Pinto Chicoti, Minister of
External Relations, spoke of the successes of Angolan diplomacy internationally, especially Angola’s
chairmanship of the International
Conference on the Great Lakes
Region (ICGLR) and the visits made
by President José Eduardo dos
Santos to France, Brazil, Cuba and
the Holy See.
He also referred to Angola’s election as a Non-Permanent Member
of the United Nations Security
Council for the period 2015-2016
and the growing complexity of
international relations that require
of Angola more active diplomacy on
behalf of peace and progress in Africa
and the world.
The Minister also spoke of
Angola’s experience of conflict resolution and its regional leadership,
as well as stating that the heads of
diplomatic missions should continue
close cooperation with different strategic international partners.
The meeting reviewed the implementation of the recommendations
of the 5th meeting of Ambassadors
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MAGAZINE OF EMBASSY OF ANGOLA
2015 N. 15
angola deMands More actiVe diploMacy
ONU
held on 20 January 2014.
The participants discussed the
issue of the Refresher and Updating
Seminar for Ambassadors in posts
at Home and Abroad, approving
the spirit of initiative shown by the
Ministry of External Relations and
recommending the amendment of
the content of the teaching material.
A report on the Strategic
Priorities of Angolan Foreign
Policy was also referred to. These
priorities are based on the 2013-2017
National Development Plan, which
requires of the Ministry of External
Relations that it strengthen Angola’s
position internationally and strengthens and expands bilateral and multilateral relations.
The diplomats praised the efforts
made by President José Eduardo dos
Santos in conducting the country’s foreign policy and stressed his
important role in seeking solutions to
the various problems affecting Africa.
They further welcomed the election of Angola as vice-president of
the ICGLR Parliamentary Forum,
president of the Forum of African
countries with Portuguese as their
official language (PALOP) and chair
of the Kimberlite Process.
CIRGL
PALOP
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MAGAZINE OF EMBASSY OF ANGOLA
2015 N. 15
ImmIGRATION
angolan iMMigration
authorities to issue
Multiple Visas
A
ngola’s Minister of the
Interior, Ângelo Veiga
Tavares, announced
recently in Luanda that
the immigration authorities would
start to issue tourist and ordinary
visas with multiple entries in March.
Speaking at a meeting of his
Ministry’s Advisory Council, he said
Ângelo Veigas Tavares,
Angola’s Minister of
Interior
conditions existed to issue such visas
immediately.
He also announced that a new
“RAPID” system was being introduced
at 4 February international airport enabling Angolans and foreigners covered
by agreement to enter and leave the
country automatically within less
than fifteen seconds.
Angola’s Minister of
the Interior, Ângelo
Veiga Tavares,
announced recently
in Luanda that
the immigration
authorities would
start to issue tourist
and ordinary visas
with multiple entries
in March.
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MAGAZINE OF EMBASSY OF ANGOLA
2015 N. 15
EVENT
ANGOLA: tHe
StARt oF tHe
ARmed StRUggle
ReCAlled in
mAnCHeSteR
T
he date of “4 February 1961”,
when the armed struggle for independence started in Angola, was
commemorated by the Angolan community in Manchester.
The event was marked by a meeting attended by young Angolan intellectuals interested in knowing the
history of the independence struggle.
The meeting was addressed by
Simão Helena, the former adviser
to the President of the Republic on
Cultural Affairs, and by Lieutenant
General Jonatão Augusto Morais,
Defence Attaché at the
Angolan Embassy in the
United Kingdom.
It was made clear that
armed struggle in Angola
dated back to the start
of Portuguese colonial
occupation.
The date of 4 February,
the start of the modern
struggle, was an occasion to pay a
tribute to all the sons and daughters
of Angola who courageously rose up
to fight for freedom.
The event was
marked by a meeting
attended by young
Angolan intellectuals
interested in knowing
the history of the
independence
struggle.
Simão Helena, the former adviser to the
President of the Republic on Cultural Affairs
Lieutenant-General, Jonatão Morais,
Defence Attaché at the Angolan
Embassy in the United Kingdom.
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MAGAZINE OF EMBASSY OF ANGOLA
COOPERATION
Angola and
United Kingdom
strengthen cooperation in
Energy and Water
Angolan delegation of the Ministry of Energy and Water in the House of Commons, British Parliament
2015 N. 15
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MAGAZINE OF EMBASSY OF ANGOLA
2015 N. 15
João Baptista Borges emphasised that generating
energy was one of the Angolan government’s
priorities and spoke of the efforts made by the
government to implement the programme for the
2013-2017 five-year programme.
J
oão Baptista Borges, Minister
of Energy and Water, recently
paid a working visit to London
at the invitation of the British
authorities. The visit was to
strengthen cooperation in
energy and water.
The Angolan Minister had a meeting in London with Tim Yeo, Chair of
the Parliamentary Group on Climate
Issues, and with David Health MP,
Prime Minister David Cameron’s special envoy to Angola.
He also had meetings with representatives of companies in the
areas of energy, water, gas consultancy and investments, as well as
attending a meeting at the Angolan
Embassy organised by the future
Angola-United Kingdom Chamber
of Commerce and Industry and a
round table organised by Peter Hain
MP, a former Minister for Africa.
João Baptista Borges emphasised
that generating energy was one of
the Angolan government’s priorities
and spoke of the efforts made by the
government to implement the programme for the 2013-2017 five-year
programme.
The British parliamentarians
hailed the efforts made to improve
the current social and economic
situation in Angola, saying that the
country was now in a good climate of
peace and prosperity.
João Baptista Borges,
Angola’s Minister of Energy and Water
David Heath, Prime Minister David
Cameron’s special envoy to Angola
Tim Yeo, MP and Chair of the
Parliamentary Group on Climate Issues
Peter Hain, MP,
and former Minister for Africa
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MAGAZINE OF EMBASSY OF ANGOLA
ECONOmY
F
rancisco Queiroz, Minister
of Geology and Mines, said
that added to this figure
was artisanal mining, which
marketed 934,506.68 carats,
amounting to about US$332 million at
an average price of US$355.48 per carat.
With regard to ornamental stones,
which include marble, granite and
similar stones, total output amounted
to about 49 million cubic metres, with
exports attaining s little more than
29,000 cubic metres.
Sales on the domestic and international markets amounted to US$8.5
million.. The production of minerals for the building industry, which
include sand, gravel, pebbles, clay
and limestone,, was slightly more than
five million cubic metres.
The Minister said there were many
projects offering opportunities for
investment, eight in gold,18 in copper, six in iron, six in semiprecious
metals, six in barite, two in platinum, two in sodium, one in mica, one
in molybdenum, one in magnesium,
one in apatite/fluorite, one in nickel,
one in uranium and one in rock-salt.
As regards infrastructure for these
projects, Francisco Queiroz said there
were 52,560 kilometres of highway
in Angola, three railways (Luanda,
Benguela and Moçamedes) and three
commercial ports (Luanda, Lobito and
Moçamedes) and, in respect of electric
power, the country will have more than
six million kilowatts of electricity by
2018, generated bynumber of hydroelectric dams-Luaúca, Caculao Cabaça,
Cambambe (on the Kwanza river) and
thermal energy and natural gas in Soyo.
Other sources of power are the
hydroelectric dams at Lomaum, Gove,
Jamba ya Mina, Jamba ya Oma and
Keve. Existing communications facilities in support of mining included the
establishment of a fibre optic system
everywhere in the country with links
to Africa, Europe and America, and
Angola will soon have its own satellite.
angolan diaMonds
earned More than
us$1 billion in 2014
ANGOLA PRODUCED
8.75 MILLION CARATS OF
DIAMONDS IN 2014, WHICH
EARNED US$1.308 BILLION
AT AN AVERAGE PRICE OF
US$150 PER CARAT.
Francisco Queiroz, Angola’s
Minister of Geology and Mines
2015 N. 15
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MAGAZINE OF EMBASSY OF ANGOLA
2015 N. 15
turism
T
he Ministry of the Hotel
Industry and Tourism expects
Angola to receive more than
4.6 million tourists by 2020,
with a view to increasing GDP and diversifying the economy.
The Minister, Pedro Mutinde,
said the Ministry plans to contribute US$3.1 billion to GDP during
this period by making full use of the
country’s potential.
The government, he said, was
creating the conditions for tourism,
starting with economic stability and
the building of highways, bridges,
airports and railways, to ensure sustainable development in the sector
as a basis for diversifying sources of
revenue for the country.
Eighty-four new hotels were
built in Angola between 2008 and
2012, providing 4,780 rooms. In
2008 there were 61 hotels in the
country and 2,822 rooms. There are
now 145 hotels and 7,602 rooms.
According to the statistical bulletin of Angola’s hotel and tourist
market, hotels and similar accommodation in the country received 1.15
million guests last year, an increase
of 170,560 over 2012.
Ministry of the
Hotel Industry and
Tourism plans for
increased tourism
by 2020
Pedro Mutinde, Angola’s
Minister of Hotel and Tourism
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MAGAZINE OF EMBASSY OF ANGOLA
2015 N. 15
ENTERVIEW
Professor Joseph Mifsud, the management of the Weza magazine
thanks you for accepting the invitation to speak about your experience
of world diplomacy and the contribution you have made to the education of diplomats who are now
making international history. Your
name is associated with leading
government circles in Malta and
now you head the London Academy
of Diplomacy linked with Stirling
University. What would you like
to say about that?
Diplomacy and Academia are
strongly interlinked. Great universities must rethink their place in the
world as knowledge production has
become more competitive but also
more collaborative, enhancing their
strategic location in international
networks, facilitating cross-fertilization between their research and
teaching within the growing diversity of key players in the global scene.
This makes academics to be lifelong
diplomats, each with his or her own
scientific networks. No war or conflict can damage these personal and
professional relationships. I have
also transited from academia to
diplomacy and back with ease and
understanding due to the similarities in the profession. Academia like
diplomacy facilitates mobility of students and faculty in all directions and
agreements for research and teaching
across the board.
The London Academy of Diplomacy
has students from many parts of
the world and Angola is no exception. What programmes or projects
do you plan for state or private
Angolan institutions related to
diplomacy and other branches of
knowledge?
We are planning a number of
activities with Angola. I had the
pleasure of hosting a visit by the
Minister of Higher Education (this
is the second visit to the Academy
in London) in which we fine-tuned
our cooperation. INTO University
Partnerships, which LAD is an integral part of, will be coordinating the
angola has
an enorMous
responsibility in
terMs of proactiVe
diploMacy
Professor Joseph Mifsud,
Director of London Academy
of Diplomacy of the
Stirling University
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MAGAZINE OF EMBASSY OF ANGOLA
2015 N. 15
efforts of a number of UK universities to host researchers, students at
undergraduate level, doctoral candidates, and academics from Angola in
the UK. We believe in the power of
education to change the world for the
better. That is why INTO established
innovative public-private partnerships with leading universities to help
them meet the extraordinary increase
in global demand for higher education. The programmes that INTO and
Angola are currently discussing vary
according to the exigencies of the
state building and capacity enhancing measures that the Government
of Angola has embarked on.
Angola is a non-permanent member
of the United Nations Security Council
as a result of its wise, perspicacious
and intelligent diplomacy. As someone who knows about world diplomacy, what does this very important
step taken by Angola mean to you in
the international context?
I think this is an excellent position for Angola Diplomacy. I have a
lot of respect vis-à-vis your Minister
of Foreign Affairs, whom I recently
met again in Luanda. As you are
aware, the non-permanent members
participate in decisions at the council
that can authorize the deployment of
troops from UN member countries,
mandate cease-fires during conflict
and impose economic penalties on
countries. Also, Angola as a UNSC
member can bring up an issue for
discussion if nine of the 15 members
agree to do so. Angola was elected in
the first count on the 16th of October,
which shows the standing that the
country holds regionally and internationally – thanks to the diplomatic
service of the Republic. This role is
almost tailor made for Angola within
the regional perspective, especially
in view of supporting the settlement
of disputes by peaceful means and
recommending methods of adjustment or terms of settlement which
are realistic and close to the regional
perspective.
Professor, how would you currently
José Eduardo dos Santos, President of the Republic of Angola
Georges Chicoti, Angola’s Minister of External Relations
“Diplomacy and Academia are strongly
interlinked. Great universities must rethink
their place in the world as knowledge
production has become more competitive
but also more collaborative, enhancing their
strategic location in international networks,
facilitating cross-fertilization between their
research and teaching within the growing
diversity of key players in the global scene. ”
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MAGAZINE OF EMBASSY OF ANGOLA
describe Angolan diplomacy?
Angola has a huge responsibility
in terms of a profound pro-active
diplomacy in the region. Its diplomats are held in high esteem by many
in the region. I am of the opinion
that regional actors are better suited
to conduct regional diplomacy than
outside interested parties. Nobody
will contest the fact that Angola has
been instrumental in the focused
diplomacy governing solutions in the
Great Lakes region. The chairing of
this organisation by Angola has been
exemplary. This is a badge of honour
for all diplomats in Angola. I also
believe that Angola is in a key position to offer what I would call open
diplomacy since from my experience
it does not have a fortress mentality
in international relations – so useful
in all traits of diplomacy.
Finally, can you tell us about the
institution you head and the number of specialists it has trained
since it was founded?
The London Academy of Diplomacy
has been working in London for the last
thirty years, training and educating
diplomats from all over the world. The
global nature of diplomacy is its badge
of honour, as are the languages and the
lifelong networking of the diplomats
which attend its courses. The strategic partnership with the Diplomat
magazine and the partnerships with
international organisations in Europe
and beyond (for example the one with
the Organisation of American States)
vouch for the quality of education of
this centre of excellence in the city
of London. Business, International
Trade, International Security Studies
and Diplomacy are all key areas of
Angola has an enormous responsibility in terms of proactive diplomacy in the region
2015 N. 15
“Angola has a
huge responsibility
in terms of a
profound proactive diplomacy
in the region.”
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MAGAZINE OF EMBASSY OF ANGOLA
2015 N. 15
education and research for the
London Academy of Diplomacy. The
renowned one year Masters’ programmes are tailor-made for diplomats and international students and
are open twice a year (in September
and in January) for all those who are
interested in expanding their careers
in diplomacy and international relations. This year, LAD will also launch
with its academic partner, the prestigious University of Stirling, a first
in academic programmes, a taught
doctoral programme in diplomacy
with partner sites in Europe, US,
Africa and Asia.
Regarded as one of the best centres in the world for training diplomats, what would you like states
or institutions to do to support this
prestigious academy, the London
Academy of Diplomacy?
The response from the Academy
would be to ensure that diplomats
are embedded with the opportunity
of lifelong learning. Soft diplomacy
is a key area that we would like to
expand as also the link between economic development and statecraft,
including good governance. LAD
has a key responsibility to maintain
leadership in this field. We wish to
open new avenues for all our ‘diplomats’ both professionally and
career-wise. It is therefore crucial
that international academies such as
the London Academy of Diplomacy
continue to foster the international
educational networking of global
diplomats. As has happened in the
past, training diplomats from different backgrounds, regions and political denominations has enhanced
Partial view of Stirling university, United Kingdom
the diplomatic structures of national
ministries of foreign affairs. This is
our major strength which we need to
safeguard with the support of countries and governments worldwide.
The link with Angola and its diplomatic mission is second to none and
we hope to expand this during 2015
also with online development of some
of our major signature courses.
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MAGAZINE OF EMBASSY OF ANGOLA
RELIGION
T
he news made history and
was widely commented on.
British religious authorities have ordained the
first woman bishop. She is Elizabeth
Jane Holden Lane, or simply Libby
Lane, the first woman bishop of the
Anglican Church of England, ordained
in the great gothic York Cathedral in
the north of the country.
Aged 48, Libby Lane is the new
Bishop of Stockport and the first
woman to hold this post since 1534,
when King Henry VIII founded the
Church of England, the first Anglican
religious institution.
Libby Lane is married to a Priest
and has two children. During the
ordainment ceremony she was accompanied by Justin Welby, Archbishop
of Canterbury and Ecclesiastical leader
of the Anglican Church, and John
Sentamu, Bishop of York.
The new Bishop studied theology
at Oxford University and has been
indirectly working in the Chester
diocese, near Manchester, since 2007.
Her appointment followed a
change in the synod rules approved
by the British parliament and with
the Queen’s assent. The amendment,
known as “Canon No.33”, states that
“a man or a woman may be consecrated to the office of bishop”. The
decision annoyed traditionalists, giving rise to a debate in church circles.
This reform does not oblige
other Anglican churches to ordain
woman as Bishops, although some,
like those in Wales, the United States,
Australia, Canada and Swaziland,
already have.
Lane may soon find that she is
no longer alone, because new bishops are expected to be appointed in
Leicester, Gloucester, Oxford and
Newcastle this year and they may
include a woman.
The Anglican Church has 80 million members in 165 countries and
its supreme leader is Britain’s Queen
Elizabeth.
united KingdoM
ordains first
WoMan bishop
Libby Lane, the first woman bishop ordained in the United Kingdom
Aged 48, Libby Lane is the new Bishop of
Stockport and the first woman to hold this
post since 1534, when King Henry VIII
founded the Church of England, the first
Anglican religious institution.
2015 N. 15
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2015 N. 15
REsEARCH
A
n international study has
concluded that genetically modified soya seeds
may help to fight HIV/
AIDS. The study says that a protein,
cianovirine, found in algae has proved very effective in combating HIV
transmission.
The authors state that the allocation of the substance in the form
of a gel in the vagina before intercourse substantially reduces the
risk of infection, but that it would be
necessary to produce a large quantity
of cianovirine.
The result of the investigation,
published in the “Science” journal,
reveals that genetically modified
soya seeds are now the most efficient
‘biofactory’ for producing the protein.
After inserting the cianovirine in
the seeds, the natural development of
the plants guarantees a supply of the
anti-HIV agent. “If genetically modified soya is planted in a greenhouse
smaller than a baseball pitch, enough
cianovirine can be produced to protect
a women for 385 days for 90 years,”
according to the authors of the scientific study, which was carried out by the
genetic resources and biotechnology
departments of the National Health
Institute of the United States and the
University of London.
seeds May be
used to coMbat
the aids Virus
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MAGAZINE OF EMBASSY OF ANGOLA
CuLTuRE
angola
celebrates
carniVal
Joyously
and in peace
C
arnival groups and floats paraded along the streets of all the
provincial capitals of Angola,
expressing joy through song
and dance. The Angolan carnival
represents the spontaneity of the
people and also the cultural diversity of the many ethno-linguistic
groups in the country.
There is therefore no single pattern in all the regions. The biggest
carnivals are in Luanda, Namibe,
Cabinda and Benguela.
The carnival groups in those cities
do their utmost to please the public and also convince the jury that
decides on the final classification
and the award of prizes that become
more attractive every year. But the
liveliest carnival is in Luanda and this
was true this year.
The here competitive parades of
the Luanda carnival took place on “4
February” Avenue, (the Luanda marginal- that runs along the seafront).
The events started on 17 February,
with the presentation of eleven children’s groups, regarded as the carnival “nursery”
In the central parade the groups
displayed the major dancing styles
of the Luanda carnival, the Semba,
Kabetula and Kazukuta. The chore-
ography and allegorical aspects represented critical caricatures of daily
life in Luanda and also the pleasure
of living in peace and the progress
taking place in the country.
The interpretation of the songs
that have historically marked the
carnival over the years, accompanied
by drums, tins and whistles, created
a festive climate for the competitive parade which started with the
Kazukuta group of the Sambizanga
neighbourhood.
2015 N. 15
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2015 N. 15
sPORT
RonAldinHo gAÚCHo
to play in angola
R
onaldinho Gaúcho, the
Brazilian international soccer player, will play with
“Kabuscorp do Palanca”,
a leading Angolan football
team, this year. The news was announced by Bento dos Santos Kangamba,
President of the club, putting an end to
rumours of a contract with the world
football star.
Bento Kangamba said that Ronaldo
de Assis Moreira, known as “Ronaldinho
Gaúcho”, will be arriving in Angola in June
to represent the colours of “Kabuscorp do
Palanca”.
He must first complete a contract
with his current club, Querétaro do
México.
Ronaldinho will be the second star
of Brazilian and Barcelona football
to play with Kabuscorp. The first was
Rivaldo, another Brazilian international
footballer.
Brazilian international Ronaldinho Gaúcho
Football Club “Kabuscorp do Palanca”
Bento Kangamba, President of “Kabuscorp”