Revolution was built in Portugal and in the colonies, says president of the Republic of Mozambique – News

“We need to teach the truth in our schools, in Portugal and in Portuguese-speaking countries: 25 de Abril was built in Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde, and our presence on this occasion is a deserved tribute to the heroes of the anti-colonialist struggle and to the young Portuguese captains who on April 25th put an end to a regime that subjugated our people”, said the Mozambican President.

Speaking during his intervention at the ceremony that marks the 50th anniversary of the 25th of April, and which brings together the Presidents of the countries of former colonies at the Belém Cultural Center, with the exception of Brazil, represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Filipe Nyusi stated that this anniversary is “the celebration of victory in a shared struggle”.

In his speech, the Mozambican head of state stressed that those at war were not the Portuguese and Mozambican people, but soldiers who were forced to carry out orders “from a fascist regime” from which young people had difficulty escaping, on the one hand, and a people united by the desire for freedom, on the other.

“We appreciate the stance of the leaders of the new Portuguese generation, guided by high moral stature and humanism”, said Nyusi, adding that “Portugal recognizes mistakes committed against the people who fought for freedom, mistakes that are inexcusable, dishonor our history and deserve condemnation of those who respect life and human dignity.”

This, however, does not take away the good relations between Portugal and Portuguese-speaking countries, Nyusi continued, pointing out as an example the fact that the presidents of Portuguese-speaking African countries all accepted the invitation to come to Lisbon to celebrate the 25th of April.

“The invitation to come here is very deliberate, but even though I wasn’t invited, I still came, as one does on family birthdays”, joked Nyusi, right at the beginning of the intervention, which comes in the same week in which a delegation of more of 80 Mozambican businesspeople visited the Porto, Sines and Lisbon region to promote business between the two countries.

“The mass presence of our countries to celebrate the 25th of April shows that the Portuguese-speaking peoples are united by common histories, the ties intertwine and crystallize, and Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is to be congratulated for joining the family that fought yesterday for the smiles of today’s children”, said Nyusi, concluding: “Mozambicans are here to reaffirm their interest in continuing to strengthen friendly relations with the Portuguese people and with other Portuguese-speaking peoples, we will be together forever”.