Translated from Portuguese. The Portuguese version prevails. Ler em português
The welcome address by the President of the Constitutional Court, Justice Laurinda Prazeres Monteiro Cardoso, in full.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The approval of the Constitution of the Republic of Angola on 5 February 2010 set our Country definitively on the path along which a true Democratic State based on the Rule of Law proceeds. In essence, it represented the strengthening of the construction of a Nation founded on the noblest values of human dignity, without its anthropological diversity constituting a threat to its unity and territorial integrity. As a living expression of the supreme political will of the people, the Constitution of the Republic of Angola is an essential component and reflection of the national collective memory.
As a document, the Constitution is far from static. Rather, it remains in constant evolution, which in turn gives rise to the need for analyses and studies whose findings are fundamental to the life of Angola in the present and to the projection of its future.
Most Excellent Guests and Most Distinguished Participants,
It is with great honour that I welcome you to this International Conference on the 50 years of Angolan constitutionalism, which, owing to the course of the political and constitutional transformations that history imposed upon us, also marks the fifteenth anniversary of the CRA. This singular moment coincides with the jubilee of our national independence, in a historic convergence that underlines the profound link between our sovereignty and our constitutional order.
Throughout these five decades, Angolan constitutionalism has embodied the aspirations of the Angolan people and, to that extent, has been the fundamental pillar of our independence and sovereignty. From the Fundamental Law of 1975 to the current Constitution, each stage of this journey reflects not only the legal and political evolution of our State, but also the aspirations and resilience of the Angolan people.
Today, as we celebrate this historic milestone, it is imperative also to remember the forerunners who laid the foundations of our constitutionalism: men and women who, at crucial moments in our history, had the vision and courage to shape a constitutional order that would serve the interests of the Angolan people and secure the foundations of our State.
The motto of this conference – “Constitutionalism as an Expression of the Independence and Sovereignty of States” – is particularly relevant in the current global context. In a constantly changing world, constitutionalism remains a fundamental doctrine for the self-determination of peoples and the stability of nations.
The Constitutional Court, as guardian of the Constitution, has the fundamental mission of preserving these elementary principles, ensuring that the constitutional text continues to be a living instrument of social transformation and national development.
Our mission of recovering, preserving and disseminating the constitutional history of Angola is more than an institutional duty – it is a commitment to future generations. Every Angolan should know and understand this history, since it is an integral part of our national identity.
The Constitution of the Republic of Angola represents the maturity of our constitutional system. It is a document that reflects the fundamental values of our society and the aspirations of our people, while guaranteeing the institutional stability necessary for the development of the country.
Over the next two days we will have the opportunity to reflect in depth on these questions, benefiting from the experience and wisdom of national and international experts. This dialogue is essential if we are to understand not only our constitutional past, but also the threats, challenges and opportunities that the future holds for us.
I invite all those present to take an active part in these debates, contributing to enriching our understanding of the role of constitutionalism in building truly sovereign and democratic States.
May this conference be not only a celebration of our constitutional past, but also a moment of renewal of our commitment to the values and principles that have guided the building of our nation throughout these five decades.
You are all most welcome, and thank you very much for your presence.
Luanda, 5 February 2025