Secretary Clinton wishes Angola a happy 35th birthday

Today, Nov. 11, is the 35th anniversary of Angola’s independence from Portugal in 1975. Secretary Clinton, who visited Angola last year, as seen in the photo above with Angolan Foreign Minister Assuncao dos Anjos, issued the following statement congratulating the African country: On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I ...

LOUISE REDVERS/AFP/Getty Images
LOUISE REDVERS/AFP/Getty Images
LOUISE REDVERS/AFP/Getty Images

Today, Nov. 11, is the 35th anniversary of Angola's independence from Portugal in 1975. Secretary Clinton, who visited Angola last year, as seen in the photo above with Angolan Foreign Minister Assuncao dos Anjos, issued the following statement congratulating the African country:

Today, Nov. 11, is the 35th anniversary of Angola’s independence from Portugal in 1975. Secretary Clinton, who visited Angola last year, as seen in the photo above with Angolan Foreign Minister Assuncao dos Anjos, issued the following statement congratulating the African country:

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Angola on your 35th Independence Day this November 11.

I was honored to help launch a new phase in the bilateral relationship between Angola and the United States during my visit to your country last year. This summer, we took another step forward and signed a Memorandum of Understanding that formally recognizes Angola as a strategic partner for the United States in Africa. Through this dialogue, we will advance our cooperation on energy and security, strengthen institutional capacity, improve transportation systems, and build a brighter future for Angola. The United States is also committed to helping Angola continue the fight against HIV/AIDS and improve its health systems. I look forward to finding new ways to deepen our partnership as we continue our work together.

I wish all Angolans a wonderful holiday, with a peaceful and prosperous year to come.

(Random interesting factoid: When Clinton was in Angola in August 2009, dos Anjos described her visit as "the most sublime, most magnanimous moment" that "changes everything," according to the New York Times.)

Preeti Aroon was copy chief at Foreign Policy from 2009 to 2016 and was an FP assistant editor from 2007 to 2009. Twitter: @pjaroonFP

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