Man detained at demonstration against the presence of the president of Guinea Bissau in the 25th of April celebrations – 25 April 50 years

São Tomé PR says that Portugal has placed itself on the right side of History

The President of São Tomé and Príncipe, Carlos Vila Nova, considered this Thursday in Lisbon that Portugal “put itself on the right side of History” with the overthrow of the dictatorship on April 25, 1974.

Dear Vila Nova, who spoke at the session commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 25th of April 1974, with the heads of State of Portugal and the former Portuguese colonies, whose independence was linked to the 25th of April, highlighted that “an event that transcends and resonates deeply in the collective consciousness of many nations.”

“It marked a crucial moment in history, not only for Portugal but also for the Portuguese colonies in Africa”, he added.

The commemorative session of the 50th anniversary took place at the Centro Cultural de Belém and was chaired by the Portuguese President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, with the presence also of the President of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, and the heads of State of Angola , João Lourenço, Cape Verde, José Maria Neves, from Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, from Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, and from Timor-Leste, José Ramos-Horta.

“We must bow in deep respect for the victims of the dictatorial regime who, with their revolutionary nonconformity, were able to bequeath to us the greatest good that is freedom and living in democracy”, he highlighted.

For future generations, he argued, it is important to “fight for the immunization of democracy and its institutions”, adding that it is an “obligation” to leave them “this immense material heritage of our civilization”.

Carlos Vila Nova drew a parallel between the armed struggle of liberation movements in the former colonies and the revolution that overthrew the dictatorship.

“Many advocate and seem to be right that the freedom that came with the April 25th revolution is largely due to the liberation movements,” he said.

Next, the São Tomé President highlighted the creation of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), leading Portuguese-speaking countries “from a distant past to the community of countries with a common language, with its headquarters in Lisbon”.

“For all this, we can say without reservation that the traits that bring us closer are greater than those that distance us”, he stressed.

“Let us work together to build a future where every citizen, regardless of race, ethnicity or origin, can enjoy the full rights and opportunities promised by independence”, he defended.

Carlos Vila Nova, I close his intervention by asking that “the spirit of the Carnation Revolution implies the immense need, solidarity and provision of support to people who still struggle with aggression and the imposition of the strongest, in a world where some believe they have more rights than others and where international law does not seem to have enough strength to resolve the complex emerging issues” of current times.