Translated from Portuguese. The Portuguese version prevails. Ler em português
Read in full the address by the President of the Constitutional Court, Justice Laurinda Jacinto Prazeres, on the occasion of Constitutional Court Day, marked this Tuesday, 17 June 2025.
Excellencies,
It is with a high sense of institutional responsibility that we gather here today to celebrate the 17th Anniversary of the Constitutional Court, a milestone that takes place under the aegis of 50 years of National Independence and 50 years of Angolan Constitutionalism.
Throughout this journey, the Constitutional Court has consolidated its position as the faithful guardian of the constitutional legislative instruments of the Republic of Angola, the defender of fundamental rights, freedoms and guarantees, and the promoter of constitutional justice in all its dimensions.
This is, without doubt, a unique occasion, on which the past meets the present once again, sowing firm seeds for the flourishing of the future of our young and dynamic Democratic State governed by the Rule of Law.
In this context of threefold celebration, we proudly proceeded, a few moments ago, to inaugurate the Gallery of Angolan Constitutionalism, a space for preserving and recovering the historical, political and legal memory of our country. This gallery brings together documents, sculptures, images and records that bear witness to the paths mapped out and travelled, the challenges faced and overcome and the advances achieved in the process of affirming the Constitution as the expression of the sovereign will of the Angolan people.
It is a tribute, above all, to those men and women who, over several generations, forged the path of Angolan constitutionalism, overcoming the challenges imposed by time and circumstance, and always with their gaze firmly on the future. It also represents a privileged space for continuous dialogue between generations about historical constitutional facts and the most recent ones too. A dialogue between those who conceived the Constitution and those who, today, ensure that its framework of principles and norms is given effect.
The memory that we preserve here is also the foundation of the collective consciousness of our people. That is why we pay tribute to the distinguished figures who, with wisdom and dedication, have shaped the course of our constitutionalism.
WE INTEND TO HELP MAKE HISTORY,
The historical overview embodied in the Gallery of Constitutionalism leads us to a reflection: It is Urgent to watch over preservation.
We still have a unique window of opportunity which, if not seized, will close quickly. Some of the architects of our independence, many of the builders of our peace, the thinkers of the time, the scribes and even those who merely carry the emotions still walk among us. Their testimonies, their personal archives and their memories are irreplaceable treasures.
Each day that passes without documenting is a page that is lost. Each voice that falls silent without being recorded is a truth that dies. That is why, with the opening of the Gallery, we made a solemn commitment: while there is still time, we will recover, collect, preserve, protect and publicise the memory of Angolan Constitutionalism.
To that end, we will also place Technology at the Service of our Collective Memory.
We live in extraordinary times. The same technology that can distort the truth can also preserve it for eternity. To digitise a document is to make it immortal. To record a testimony is to guarantee that this voice will echo through the centuries.
That is why the Gallery of Angolan Constitutionalism is not just a physical space – it is a living project. YES! It is a living memory in constant growth, which will use all the means available and within our reach to ensure that the constitutional history of Angola is preserved, accessible, undeniable if possible, and that it NEVER DIES.
May our Gallery of Angolan Constitutionalism be a beacon of memory, a school of research for the promotion of citizenship and a dispensary of the future. May it be, above all, living and vibrant proof that a people who know their history are a people who control their destiny.
Excellencies;
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Colleagues,
The inauguration of this gallery is complemented, in a deeply symbolic way, by the Ondjango da Constituição (a community forum on the Constitution), a space for sharing knowledge relating to the promotion of the Constitution. A space in which the Constitution is approached not only from the perspective of how it is applied, but also of how it projects itself onto society, through a pedagogical CONVERSATION, with the aim of instructing and educating society, as well as stimulating critical thinking with regard to fundamental rights, duties, freedoms and guarantees. What is sought, therefore, is an open dialogue on the evolution of Angolan constitutional thought. The term “Ondjango”, in its traditional essence, brings to mind a space for active listening, sharing, counsel, community life and collective construction.
That is precisely what drives us: to bring together the protagonists of Angolan constitutional history – of yesterday and of today – who helped to form the legal and constitutional foundation of our country, so that together we may recall the milestones and analyse the challenges and prospects of Angolan Constitutionalism, in a continuous exercise of mutual listening and strengthening of constitutional citizenship. Because constitutional law is not exhausted in the letter of the Law; it comes to life in everyday life, in social praxis and in the active participation of citizens.
It is also along this path that we have the great pleasure of bringing into print the 3rd Edition of the academic journal “A Guardiã”, a special edition dedicated to the 50 years of Angolan Constitutionalism.
This edition records, in doctrinal and testimonial form, the contributions to the consolidation of the Constitutional State in Angola, and reaffirms the mission of the Constitutional Court to promote legal knowledge, in close collaboration with academia and other legal practitioners.
The journal “A Guardiã” is an academic publication. It constitutes a space for critical reflection and for the dissemination of constitutional culture. We therefore extend our immeasurable thanks to all the authors and contributors who, with great commitment and intellect, gave body and soul to this edition. Your academic generosity is the mirror of a commitment that goes beyond a mere technical exercise and is inscribed in the annals of the legal history of our country.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Colleagues,
May this celebration be a moment of exaltation of our history, of affirmation of our present and of renewal of our commitment to a living, dynamic and inclusive constitutionalism.
The completion of the Gallery project, which we inaugurate today, was only possible thanks to the hard work of many hands and many minds. Allow me, therefore, to express, on behalf of the Constitutional Court and on my own behalf, my most sincere THANKS to the following institutions and individuals, without whom the Gallery of Angolan Constitutionalism would not have its immeasurable scale and depth:
To Professors Rui Ferreira and Raul Araújo, thank you very much for the altruistic gesture of making available their collections, composed of valuable materials that are fundamental to understanding the constitutional history of our country.
We also thank Professors Bornito de Sousa, Carlos Feijó, Fernando Oliveira, Onofre dos Santos, Victorino Hossi and Adão de Almeida for their patience and support in reviewing the content.
To Dr Ana Dias Lourenço – First Lady of the Republic of Angola – our thanks for her attention and support in providing information, suggesting personalities and locating essential documents relating to the third period.
To the National Assembly, the Imprensa Nacional (National Press), the National Electoral Commission, the Luanda Provincial Government, the António Agostinho Neto Memorial, the National Library, Jornal de Angola/Edições Novembro, the António Agostinho Neto Foundation, the National Archive and the Associação Tchiweka (Lúcio Lara Foundation) – our thanks for their collaboration and for making their respective collections available.
To the golden (pure gold) technical Team of the Constitutional Court, which, with immense commitment, pride and dedication, made the creation of this Gallery possible. Your silent but essential work was decisive in enabling us to achieve the results we have achieved and to be here today celebrating this moment.
Many congratulations to the Constitutional Court; may its existence be a long one. May our Ondjango be fruitful and inspiring, especially for us, the younger ones.
Thank you very much.