FULL TEXT OF THE NEW YEAR’S ADDRESS OF THE
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ANGOLA
H. E. JOSÉ EDUARDO DOS SANTOS
December 27, 2007

People of Angola,
Fellow Compatriots,

Another year comes to an end and, as is traditional, on this date I would like to share the assessment that is made of the current situation in the country.

With no triumphalism, everyone has witnessed peace consolidating itself on a daily basis and that the war turning into a mere painful memory from the past. Everyone also witnesses the tragic consequences of this war, which, with tenacity, pragmatism, and vision for the future, we have to continue to confront and overcome together.

This is why I ask of you that we continue to work together to quickly win the battle for the Nation’s material and spiritual reconstruction. Working together to achieve the shared goals implies the strengthening of the spirit of tolerance and of national reconciliation, and to permanently establish social harmony that is indispensable for the complete normalization of the life of the nation and of each family.

It also implies counting on everyone’s collaboration to build a modern and open society, where each one can freely express their ideas and hold their own convictions or beliefs, as long as they respect others and have a basic understanding of their rights. The challenges the country is still going through are enormous, but every result achieved at this short period of peace shows that Angola can guarantee a dignifying life for every citizen in the future, if everyone works well and seriously in their respective position.

At the moment, Angola is, in the world, one of the countries in which the economy is growing more. We must do all we can to keep this growth long-lasting and foster sustainable development. Our economy needs to grow for several years at a greater rate than the growth of our population.

This way, we will produce more wealth to distribute and we will be able to fight against poverty more effectively, thus ensuring improved social standards for our citizens. The government is doing its part: inflation has been put under control and the management of public funds is improving, so is the management of currency and the country’s international net reserves.

The resources allocated to the social sector over the last two years privileged the continued social and productive reintegration of both demobilized soldiers and war displaced persons; priority has been given to an improved provision of basic social services, to the promotion of social harmony, and to the significant reduction of hunger and misery. For this reason, I believe that we are on the right path, but a lot remains to be done, especially in the city surroundings and in the rural areas.

The government will have to pay more attention to the families living in these areas. We are aware that farmers are working even harder. Factory and construction workers are increasingly complying with their mission better.

The Angolan people have been able to assume the historic responsibilities with maturity and spirit of solidarity. I applaud this patriotic attitude and their critical sense of our reality, which allows for pointing out mistakes to officials so that these make the most appropriate choices.

The government will continue to pay greater attention to companies and, to ensure their better economic performance, it will work towards ensuring, among others, the right to property, contracts compliance, consumer rights, support of competition and regulation of public services rendered to private operators.

On the other hand, in order to strengthen national entrepreneurship, the government will continue to promote a credit policy with adequate conditions on deadlines, cost, and guarantees. Finally, it will pay greater attention to the training of national human resources, by spreading training centers and technical and professional capacity building across the country, which will enable our youth to hold a productive job.

People of Angola,
Fellow Compatriots,

A greater proximity between the State and Society is equally a way to contribute to the solution of the serious social problems that we are still facing. Although the governance of the country is, in principle, the responsibility of whoever holds the mandate of the people, society can and must give their contribution to making the most important Government decisions.

For this purpose, it is necessary that the channels of dialogue between government officials and the governed be open and the citizenry be used in plenitude. The citizenry is the full and wise exercise of the rights and responsibilities that belong to everyone and to each one of us through the creation of our own wellbeing and the wellbeing of the society in general.

The citizenry must be exercised on a daily basis, be it through constructive criticisms and proposals, be it through concrete actions aimed at problem-solving and eliminating all barriers to improving the living standards of the people as a whole. Under this framework, voting is an important exercise by the citizenry.

In the year that begins within days, the Angolan citizens will be called upon to elect their representatives in Parliament. This is a process that will deepen our democratic system and allow that process to work well.

These elections must be conducted in an environment of peace, harmony, and fraternity among all Angolans, without resort to verbal or physical violence, with tolerance, and respect for the opinion and ideas of others.

The will of the Angolan people must be expressed with truth and without limitations on September 5th and 6th, 2008, during the legislative elections to be called in due course.

To this end, it is critical that citizens’ security and the protection of their property be fully ensured, because political order is an indispensable requirement for the citizens to feel at peace and be able to live without constraints or fears, exercise their rights, and fulfill their duties.  

The National Police, as a guarantor of this order, has to set the example, and its officials and agents must conduct themselves with respect for human life and public and private property. This is the only way this institution will meet the expectations of the entire Angolan people. We must all be fine-tuned to the good moment the country is going through.

This is a moment of hope and great confidence for the future. The Angolan people is achieving success and victories in almost all fields. These facts fill us with emotion and pride, while increasing our self-esteem. Let us work together to attain new successes and achieve prosperity and happiness for all.

I wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season and a New Year full of happiness and success.