ANGOLA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has called for strengthened African unity, stating that only through collective energy can the continent achieve stability, prosperity and global respect.
Her call came during a historic address to Angola’s National Assembly on Tuesday, making her the first female Head of State to address the Angolan Parliament.
“Divided Africa will not be able to claim its rightful place and compete effectively in the global arena. A unified region strengthens collective bargaining power and collectively solve regional and global challenges,” she said.
“As a region, we fought together for political liberation, we should also fight together for economic prosperity.”
President Samia also appealed to Angola’s National Assembly to maintain its crucial role in upholding regional peace.
As Chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ, she requested Angolan parliamentarians to continue their support for their nation’s security initiatives.
President Samia who is in Angola for a state visit aimed at bolstering ties, acknowledged Angola’s resources, military capabilities and readiness to act swiftly.
“As Chair of the SADC Organ, my appeal to you is to continue supporting your country in this endeavour. The Executive branch cannot do much without the political support and budget approval by this august House.
“I am taking this opportunity to thank you for your support to our region. And I appeal to you the parliamentarians to stay in course and support your government in this pursuit,”
President Samia said. President Samia’s address came on the second day of her state visit to Angola, which concluded yesterday.
Her historic speech was made possible through a special invitation by Angola’s Speaker of Parliament, Caroline Carqueira.
Furthermore, President Samia’s address recalled the historical ties between Tanzania and Angola, rooted in their shared liberation struggles.
This historical context added weight to her appeal, showing the continuation of a legacy of cooperation for the greater good of the African continent.
The focus on Angola’s capabilities comes at a time when regional security is a key concern. By using Angola’s resources and military strength, the SADC region aims to create a more secure environment for development and prosperity.
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Beyond security, President Samia turned to economic ties, noting the minimal trade flows and investment between the two countries.
Statistics indicate an average trade volume of 2-3.5 million US dollars per year, and limited investment since 2014.
President Samia and President João Lourenço held discussions to revitalise these economic relations, recognising untapped opportunities.
A significant step towards this was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Agency for Private Investment and Promotion of Exports of Angola (AIPEX) and the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC).
This MoU aims to promote and facilitate investments, leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area and the SADC Free Trade Area.
Discussions also covered the oil and gas sector, with Angola’s rich reserves and Tanzania’s gas potential presenting opportunities for shared expertise and business prospects, especially given Tanzania’s reliance on external oil imports.
Another signed MoU focused on Defence cooperation, recognising the long-standing and skilled armies of both nations and their agreement to cooperate on strategic matters.
At the regional and continental levels, President Samia underscored the need for a unified Africa to effectively compete globally.
She mentioned ongoing collaboration within the African Union on Agenda 2063, including the AfCFTA and the Silencing the Guns by 2030 initiative.
The Lobito Corridor project was also commended for its potential to unlock economic potential in Central and Southern Africa.
In a move to further strengthen ties, President Samia announced Tanzania’s reciprocal decision to waive tourist visa requirements for Angolan citizens, following Angola’s similar gesture.
This is expected to boost trade, investment and tourism. President Samia also assured the assembly of Tanzania’s commitment to its bilateral relations with Angola, announcing the intention to reopen the Tanzanian Embassy in Luanda soon to foster closer cooperation and unity.
