Guinean President Umaro Sissoco Embaló emphasized the significance of remembering Amílcar Cabral, the founder of the nation and “the most important figure in the country’s political history,” whose centenary is being celebrated on September 12. In a speech at the Armed Forces Headquarters in Bissau, Embaló highlighted that the celebrations will continue until the end of the year, including National Day on September 24 and the 60th anniversary of the People’s Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP).
Embaló expressed pride in announcing the centenary celebrations of Cabral, who at age 36 in 1960, dedicated his life to the struggle for the liberation and independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde. He noted that the first People’s National Assembly, held in the hills of Boé on September 24, 1973, honored Cabral as the founder of the nation.
Before delivering his speech, Embaló laid a wreath at Cabral’s mausoleum and awarded the Guinea-Conakry ambassador in Bissau the Amílcar Cabral medal, the highest honor of the Guinean state, in recognition of Guinea-Conakry’s support for the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC).
Embaló praised Cabral’s contributions to the social sciences and his international recognition as a leader, military strategist, and revolutionary theoretician of the National Liberation Movement. He highlighted that although Cabral was assassinated in 1973 at age 48, his legacy endures in the independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde.