Eminent Angolan journalist Rafael Marques admits government’s overall development

The Angolan investigative journalist and human rights defender, Rafael Marques, has admitted that there is a great change between the current and prior government, although he recognizes that the economic situation of the country requires some care.

Rafael Marques was speaking to the press at the end of an audience granted by the Angolan president, João Lourenço, in which they discussed issues related to human rights, combat against corruption and Operation Rescue. To the journalist, it is fundamental that the current changes being implemented by the president could well succeed since it is necessary that the people have food to eat so then celebrate the democracy.

The activist, who is well known due to the decries he makes on potential cases of corruption and human rights violation, underlined that everybody must take part in the construction of a new society since this is not a task of the Head of State only.

The president received the journalist on December 5 after an incident prevented the audience to take place on December 4, when the Head of State met with several entities of the civil society, usually critics of the government. After the meeting, which lasted an hour, the journalist said the misunderstanding was surpassed, which the Head of State regretted the incident. The meeting took place 25 days after the Head of State awarded medals of merit to personalities who fought for national independence in a gesture aimed at consolidating the process of reconciliation among Angolans.

With that audience, the president continues the strategy of extending the dialogue with organizations of the civil society, which have long demanded the right to be heard and so as to aid with their views or opinions.

With inputs from agency.