While celebrating, yesterday, January 4th, the Day of the Martyrs of Colonial Repression, the MPLA Political Bureau expressed, in a note to which OPAÍS had access, its renewed recognition for the determination and resistance of the Angolan people to colonization and ill-health. treatment, reflected in the actions that led to the Baixa de Cassanje massacre, perpetrated in 1961 by the Portuguese colonial regime against defenseless citizens.
In this spirit, the Political Bureau of the MPLA Central Committee reiterates a heartfelt and patriotic tribute to the victims, with a firm commitment to preserving the historical legacy. The Political Bureau of the MPLA Central Committee argues that, more than just defending rights, the brave action of the peasants of Baixa de Cassanje constituted an unequivocal sign of unconditional defense of the national soil, and was yet another fact that boosted the beginning of the process of armed liberation struggle, whose apogee determined the proclamation of national independence, on November 11, 1975.
For this reason, the heroic feat of January 4, 1961 must be transformed into a source of inspiration for all citizens, from Cabinda to Cunene, in order to value the date, whose historical dimension requires permanent demonstrations of recognition to their mentors, to whom the country and its children will be eternally grateful. Imbued with the spirit of “Serving the People and making Angola Grow”, the MPLA salutes all Angolans who, throughout the struggle, have contributed, with a high civic stance, to the preservation of the greatest achievements, including independence national, territorial integrity, peace and unity and national reconciliation”.
