Luanda, Dec. 8, 2025 (Lusa) - The spokesperson for the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) on Monday compared Angolans' discontent to the discomfort of "living in a house under construction," assuring that the party is attentive to the signs from the population and committed to improving its actions.
Esteves Hilário was speaking at a press conference in Luanda, where he announced a special programme to celebrate the 69th anniversary of the party in power in Angola since 1975, coinciding with the Independence Jubilee celebrations.
Asked about the feelings of the population and the riots that took place this year in Luanda, triggered by the increase in fuel prices and which culminated in the deaths of at least 30 people, he said that living in a house under construction brings "discomfort".
"I often say that living in a house under construction usually causes some discomfort, and it is obvious that the process of structural reforms in the economy has to cause some discomfort. The MPLA is aware of this and has been working to ensure that better days will indeed come," he stressed, considering that the MPLA "is the greatest instrument of struggle for the Angolan people".
"The MPLA is the heritage of the Angolan people, the Angolan people count on the MPLA, the MPLA has never turned its back on its people, since the struggle for national liberation, and obviously continues to work for the people and with the people," he assured.
Esteves Hiláro made a contrasting assessment of the 50 years of national independence, recalling that more than half of this period was marked by "a fratricidal civil war" and stated that "this must also be evaluated by Angolans".
"But great things have been achieved. And today we can say that after independence, the work is done," he insisted, pointing to improvements in education and health.
He acknowledged, however, that there is an added responsibility for a party that has been in power for 50 years, ensuring that the MPLA will not "turn its back on the people or their problems".
"Unfortunately, problems cannot all be solved in a day, but there is willingness, there is availability, there is work, the work is being done and the results are beginning to be felt," he reiterated, explaining that when there are structural reforms, there is also "belt-tightening, an effort by the people".
"And here we obviously congratulate the Angolan people, because they understood and accepted this sacrifice, because with it we are effectively building a better country," he stressed, convinced that the people understand the Executive's efforts and that these will "effectively result in a better, more solid and more sustainable economy".
The celebrations of the MPLA's 69th anniversary are taking place under the slogan "Preserve and value the achievements made" during the month of December, with activities in all provinces, the highlight being a rally next Saturday in Luanda.
The inauguration of the party's new headquarters is another of the central moments of the commemorative agenda, which includes debates and lectures, sporting activities, social responsibility actions and a party with cultural, musical and gastronomic components.
According to Esteves Hilário, the various party activities "are for the Angolan people and not restricted to party members," with "opportunities for social consultation for civil society and people who are not members of the MPLA."
The leader highlighted positive aspects of governance, such as the drive for economic diversification, which has resulted in "an exponential increase in national production."
"(Today) just over 70% of the most consumed products in the country are nationally produced," he said, adding that the General State Budget, currently under debate, forecasts revenues from the non-oil sector to exceed those from the oil sector.
"The pace is not always as fast as we would like, but the most important thing is that the steps are safe and sustainable," he concluded.
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