Category: National

Angola’s permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, Francisco José da Cruz, met last Friday with the permanent observer of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Patricia Tornsney.

The meeting focused on preparations for the 147th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which Angola will host from 23 to 27 October this year.

Under the theme “Parliamentary action for peace, justice and strong institutions,” the general debate of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly will begin on 24 October with the high-level segment reserved for the speakers of parliaments.

The programme also provides for the meeting of the governing council, to be held between 24 and 27.

The meeting will discuss and take decisions on a number of matters related to the functioning and activities of the IPU, including the election of a new speaker.

The 147th session of the IPU Assembly is expected to adopt resolutions on an emergency item related to a recent major situation of international concern, on which urgent action by the International Community is required and which the IPU mobilises a parliamentary response.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union is the global organisation of national parliaments, whose objective is to mediate multilateral contacts of parliamentarians, to achieve peace and cooperation among peoples and to consolidate representative institutions through dialogue.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union and the International Day of Parliamentarianism marked 134th anniversary on June 30

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

National Assembly Speaker Carolina Cerqueira highlighted Friday in Lisbon, Portugal, the role of Parliamentary system in democracy, described as the voice of voters, diversity, dialogue and concert.

Carolina Cerqueira was addressing a celebration session of the International Day of Parliamentarianism, which took place at the headquarters of the Portuguese Parliament.

The Speaker stressed that they are voices of political representation in diversity, in the political debate that generate perspectives for new ideas, better approaches, dialogue and of conciliation, all these ingredients contributing to the solidity of parliamentary democracy.

“It is a noise, sometimes deafening, but always necessary, so that everything changes in a better direction, especially people’s lives, the process of development of societies and countries”, stressed the leader of the Angolan Parliament.

According to Carolina Cerqueira, there is an urgent need for everyone to work on their translation, in order to have an understandable version, which must be at the same time faithful, but fluid, integrated, more formal, genuine, publishable and, above all, scrutinous.

On the other hand, she considers it unfair not to point out the evolution of the form of the Government that thinks of people, women and men dedicated to keeping democracy alive, with acts and words spoken in plenary, listening to them, debating them and immortalizing them in ideas and later in relevant actions.

“Gender equality is implemented with economic and social development, along with a new culture of full respect for the human person and for their full personal and professional fulfillment”, she said.

Carolina Cerqueira took the opportunity to reinforce the invitation for the Parliamentarians to attend the 147th Assembly of the World Parliamentary Union in October in Luanda.

The presence of guests at this event, she said, will serve to deepen the political debate on the progress and main difficulties of contemporary parliamentary system and its numerous challenges, in particular, the promotion and preservation of peace and its impact on the lives of populations around the world.

Various speakers are expected to address this solemn session. They include leaders of parliaments from Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Zimbabwe.

There were also speeches delivered by Edite Estrela, as vice speaker of the Portuguese parliament, and Duarte Pacheco, speaker of the Inter-parliamentary Union.

As part of her presence in Portugal, Carolina Cerqueira participated, for two days, in various activities included in the programme of commemorations of the International Day of Parliamentarism.

The meeting was attended by the Angola to Portugal, Maria de Jesus Ferreira, and a group of MPs from parties with seats in the Angolan Parliament

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

The Vice President of the Social Democratic Front, Joshua Osih, has said all political activities within the party are on standby till the chairman Ni John Fru Ndi is laid to rest.

The VP made the point in Yaounde as he announced the funeral program of the longtime opposition leader.

“No political activity by the party will hold until after the burial of the chairman,” Osih said. He indicated that “it is important that we focus all our energy to have a burial with the honor it deserves.”

According to the schedule, funeral activities will begin on Thursday, July 27, with an ecumenical service at the Yaounde Multipurpose Sports Complex, then lying in state at his Nkolfoulou residence in Yaounde.

On Friday, July 28, there will be a rally at the Bamenda Grand Stand Commercial Avenue, followed by lying in state at his Ntarikon Residence in Bamenda.

The burial will take place in the Baba II village on Saturday, July 29.

Fru Ndi died on June 12, leaving his followers, family members and friends devastated. Thousands are expected to gather to pay their last respects to the SDF founder.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The leadership of the All People’s Party (APP) announced the suspension of its Secretary General, Vincent Kanyetu, here on Thursday.

The party’s national chairperson, Linus Muchila, who made the announcement in a media release issued on Thursday, said Kanyetu’s suspension is effective as of Monday and will last for a period of 30 working days.

‘The reason for Kanyetu’s suspension along with all due processes that need to be followed hereafter, are explained in his letter of suspension. Thus, the party will not elaborate further on the charges until the disciplinary hearing is concluded,’ Muchila stated.

During the suspension, Kanyetu is restricted from all functions, activities and events of the APP and is not allowed to access the party’s members, resources or perform work for the party.

On his part, Kanyetu said he was going to respond to the suspension through a letter which he will share with this news agency in due course.

Muchila further clarified that, contrary to recent media reports, the party did not fail to repay a loan advanced to it from the acting president’s family trust and that the party made all payments, for which proof was provided.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

João Lourenço is presiding over the Local Governance Council (CGL) meeting taking place in the northern Uige Province, as part of a two-day working visit to that region.

During his arrival at Manuel Quarta Punza Airport, João Lourenço was welcomed by the provincial governor, José Carvalho da Rocha, members of the Executive, traditional and religious authorities and groups of citizens.

The meeting to be held in two sessions, Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, is being attended by the governors of the country’s 18 provinces and the heads of ministerial departments.

Uige governor, José Carvalho da Rocha, is expected to present the balance sheet and prospects of social impact projects of the province to the Head of State.

Local Governance Council is the auxiliary body of the President in the formulation and monitoring of the implementation of governance policies of the State Administration at local level.

Created by Presidential Legislative Decree, the body meets every six months. It comprises the Ministers of State, Ministers, Provincial Governors, Presidential Aides, Secretary of the Cabinet Council, among other entities connected to local governance issues.

The President’s schedule includes a meeting with local authorities and a visit to the Agricultural Fair, which will showcase the region’s potential in this economic sector.

With over a million inhabitants, Uige province has 16 municipalities, namely Ambuila, Bembe, Buengas, Bungo, Damba, Alto Cauale, Maquela do Zombo, Milunga, Mucaba, Negage, Puri, Quimbele, Quitexe, Sanza Pombo, Songo and Uíge.

Agriculture and trade are the main sectors of activity in Uige, which was once considered the top coffee producer in Angola.

Uige’s climate is hot, which is why it is good for growing coffee, cassava, peanuts, sweet potatoes, beans, cocoa, sisal and others on a smaller scale.

The President’s last trip to Uige took place in October 2021, when he led a meeting of the Local Governance Council. DC/AL/JAR/ADR/Amp/jmc

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

The Naval Headquarters has dismissed as false, the allegation that the outgoing Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, had refused to handover to the newly appointed chief, Rear Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla.

The Director of Naval Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, in a statement on Wednesday, said that handing over in military was procedural.

Ayo-Vaughan said the publications by some online was malicious lies, misleading and capable of spreading falsehood to unsuspecting members of the public.

“It is therefore necessary to put the record straight.

“Suffice to state that handing and taking over ceremony in the Nigerian Navy from inception is procedural.

“Upon the announcement of the change of the ‘Watch on deck’, the outgoing CNS is expected to give detailed brief to the incoming CNS, tour key naval facilities and perform the ceremonial lowering of ensign.

“Accordingly, the programme of events leading to the formal handing and taking over ceremony has kicked off to culminate at a public ceremony on Friday June 23 in line with age-long naval tradition,” he said.

The Navy spokesman also said that sister services were also due to hand over as they had set aside specific dates for their handing and taking over ceremonies.

He urged members of the public to discountenance the “malicious publication and erroneous information” which was the figment of the reporter’s imagination.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria