Angola: President to receive activist Rafael Marques today

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Angola: President to receive activist Rafael Marques today

10:08 CAT | 05 Dec 2018

Rafael Marques. File photo: AFP

Angolan activist Rafael Marques said on Tuesday he is to be received by Angola’s president on Wednesday after he said he was barred from entering a meeting at the country’s presidency with non-governmental organisations, which he had been invited to.

Marques commented on online newspaper MakaAngola, which he runs, that he had been invited for a private audience with the president of Angola, which was scheduled for 9 am local time. This was confirmed by a source from president João Lourenço’s office to Lusa.

“Through his office director, Edeltrudes Costa, the president [João Lourenço] regrets the incident that took place this morning, when he was barred admission to the palace as a member of the civil society delegation,” a note published on MakaAngola reads. “I am following the investigations underway to find out what happened and I believe in the goodwill of the president. Therefore, it would be an honour for me to meet him tomorrow [Wednesday].”

He added that “several citizens” had sent him notes regarding “the main concerns” of Angolans to be discussed with the president, and that he would ask for an additional minute of his time to address these concerns. “Tomorrow I am going to the palace,” he said.

Marques was among leaders of NGOs expected to speak to the country’s president, João Lourenço, on Tuesday to discuss “current affairs” an official communiqué said on Monday.

The official note said that apart from Rafael Marques and Luaty Beirão, there would be representatives of about a dozen organisations connected with human rights, rural development,law and youth support present at the meeting.

Source: Lusa