LUANDA, Angola. – The Cuban first Vice-President, Miguel Diaz-Canel, praised this Monday the peace reigning in Angola, where he arrived for the inauguration of the third president in the independent history of the country, Joao Lourenço.

It is amazing how they have developed, Luanda looks very beautiful at night from the air. We see how many things they have been able to do, that means peace was necessary, Diaz-Canel highlighted when he was received by the Minister of Former Combatants, Candido Pereira van Dunem at February 4th International Airport.

The Cuban first Vice-President thanked, on behalf of President Raul Castro, for the invitation to Lourenço´s investiture and explained, you will understand that after the damage caused by Hurricane Irma he could not travel.

On his part, Van Dunem asked Diaz-Canel to feel at home, and also expressed interest in increasing bilateral and historical relations.

Diaz-Canel Will Participate in Presidential Transfer of Power in Angola

The Cuban first Vice-President, Miguel Diaz-Canel, arrived this Monday at the Angolan capital for a stay that will continue until Thursday.

According to the schedule he will attend tomorrow to the presidential changeover from outgoing head of State Jose Eduardo dos Santos to Lourenço, who won on August 23 with more than 61 percent of the valid votes.

Among other activities, Diaz-Canel will pay tribute to the first president and founding father of Angola, Antonio Agostinho Neto, Cuban commander Raul Diaz Argüelles, and the heroes of the Battle of Kifangondo, the day before the proclamation of Angolan sovereignty.

After nearly 27 years of civil strife, that nation won peace on April 4, 2002, thus beginning a process of national reconciliation still underway.