Angola celebrated 50 years of independence from Portugal on Tuesday with a grand military parade in Luanda, commemorating its journey from colonial rule to nationhood while acknowledging the deep economic and social challenges that still persist. Thousands gathered at Republic Square as soldiers, tanks, and marching bands paraded past the Independence Memorial, where President João Lourenço addressed the nation. “We’ve made a difficult journey in these 50 years,” Lourenço said, recalling Angola’s fight for independence and the hardships of the 27-year civil war that followed. “We overcame colonialism and the tragedies of conflict. Now, we must build an inclusive society with equal opportunities for all.”
Angola declared independence on November 11, 1975, after a 13-year war against Portuguese rule. However, the end of colonialism was quickly followed by a brutal civil war between rival liberation movements the MPLA, UNITA, and FNLA that killed up to 1 million people and displaced millions more before peace was achieved in 2002. Since then, Angola, one of Africa’s top oil producers, has experienced economic growth and major investments in infrastructure, particularly in Luanda’s skyline and transportation networks. But poverty and inequality remain stubbornly high.
According to World Bank data, about 33% of Angolans still live below the international poverty line of $2.15 per day, and more than half the population (52.9%) live on less than $3.65 per day. Unemployment, especially among youth, remains a pressing issue, while access to quality healthcare and education continues to lag. President Lourenço acknowledged these “enormous and complex challenges” and pledged to diversify the economy beyond oil and promote transparency in governance. He also touched on regional instability, warning that “the volatile situation in the African Sahel, the wars in Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo deserve our full attention and cooperation as Africans.” The golden jubilee celebrations were attended by former liberation leaders, diplomats, and dignitaries from across Africa, underscoring Angola’s growing role as a regional peace broker.
