By Serafim de Oliveira
Washington D.C — In Angola, “begging” and accessing natural resources serve as manipulative psychological tools for those in positions of economic, military, political, and social power to maintain the status quo.
In essence, these practices oppose the exercise of citizenship through public policies and norms, such as the right to life, the principle of equality before the law, the freedom of opinion and expression, communication and information, and democratic participation in public policy decisions.
Misinterpretations of everyday reality
Nevertheless, the new elite allied with the current party leadership continues to repeat past political mistakes by using misinterpretations of consensus realities and bitter attitudes
The intergenerational class often occludes their mistakes through an obsession with illicit wealth gained via repressive state policies and the marginalization of diverse ideas in society. We feel their influence daily.
Denial of Natural Resources on a Systematic Basis
However, these policies of security and exclusion are of great danger when they include the systematic denial of access to natural resources by the main intervening actors and that many of them must beg.
Their objections, plus those of other interested parties, should provide a compass for the coming to a reasonable and mutually beneficial agreement. As a result, we will remove frequent threats to our coexistence and social peace from excessive and abusive social marginalization. Moreover, the government could use the funds spent on methods of repression to prioritize social projects in rural and urban areas for the underprivileged.
Managing public affairs
Citizens have the right to ask how the central government intends to allocate and use funds derived from contracts signed with private entities or state counterparts, oil revenue, diamonds, and other natural resources. In addition, the availability of a mechanism for exchanging information on profits, income, and capital losses encourages new values and responsible social behavior.
National Debt versus Chinese Presence
The Chinese presence in our country is difficult to hide and one of the most significant foreign forces that control natural resources, labor, public debt, and access to our natural resources, financial systems, and other services. An urgent need exists to encourage a broad and open public debate on this topic, which includes general contractual clauses, the legal status of Chinese employees, and the creation of credible mechanisms to protect our respective interests over the long run.
A few individuals and the interests of a few parties cannot dictate decisions regarding preferences or protections from outside political influences, especially when economic and social security, civil rights, and political participation are concerned.
Serafim de Oliveira
Washington D.C
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Angola Transparency 
Reblogged this on Angola Transparency.
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