President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has warmly congratulated the Government and people of the Republic of Angola on the occasion commemorating the 41^st Independence Anniversary on Friday, November 11.

Independence Day is celebrated on November 11, each year, to commemorate Angola’s independence from Portugal in 1975.

The armed struggle for Angolan independence known as the Portuguese Colonial War or the War of Liberation (in the former Portuguese colonies) began in 1961. The main protagonists in this struggle were the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA), and National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA).

In 1974, a military coup known as the Carnation Revolution took place in Portugal. The new government put an end to war by agreeing to recognize the independence of its colonies. On November 11, 1975, the MPLA took control of the capital city of Luanda and declared the independence of Angola.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, in the message to her Angolan counterpart, President Jose Eduardo Santos, President Sirleaf, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, extended heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the Angolan leader, and through him, to the Government and people of Angola as they celebrate this historic event.

The Liberian leader recalled the historic relations between both nations while at the same time assured her Angolan counterpart of Liberia’s determination to continue the strong bond of friendship and cordiality subsisting between the two countries as they endeavor to lead their respective peoples to a brighter future.