Cairo Governor Dr. Ibrahim Saber attends the unveiling ceremony of the bust of Dr. António Agostinho Neto, one of Angola’s prominent national liberation leaders and the first president of the Republic of Angola, at Al‑Horreya Park in Zamalek.
The event was attended by Filipe Zau, Angola’s Minister of Culture; Maquento Sebastião Lopes, Ambassador of Angola to Cairo; Ambassador Mohammad Karim Sherif, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for African Affairs; and Dr. Ahmed Anwar Al‑Adl, Deputy Cairo Governor, along with several ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions.
During the ceremony, Governor Saber said the unveiling of Dr. Neto’s statue reflects profound significance. It is not only a commemoration of a historic Angolan leader, but also because it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Egypt and Angola, embodying the deeply rooted historic ties binding the two nations and their peoples.
Saber also expressed his delight at choosing the Horreya Park in Zamalek to be home to the statue, given its symbolic and cultural value. He added that the Horreya Park symbolizes friendship and peace. It is not just a green space in the capital but a cultural and human venue where prominent Egyptian figures meet with icons from nations across the world. It also highlights that culture and history can be bridges of understanding and peace among peoples.
Moreover, Saber stated that the park features 23 statues of prominent Egyptian and international icons, representing leaders associated with the history and struggles of their nations. It also showcases the diversity of civilizations and how different peoples from various countries come together in the heart of Cairo.
Saber further said that welcoming the statue of Dr. António Agostinho Neto as a representative of a friendly African nation enriches the park with an African presence that reflects Egypt’s deep belonging to its continent and pride in its African roots.
Saber added that this step aligns with Egypt’s strategy and President Abdel Fattah El‑Sisi’s directives to strengthen relations with African states, boosting cooperation and communication based on shared history, geography, and destiny, particularly through cultural exchange.
The governor also stated that hosting Dr. Neto’s statue in the park is not merely an addition to it but a lasting symbol of the friendship and historic relations between Egypt and Angola, granting these ties a permanent symbolic presence in the heart of Cairo along the banks of the Nile.
Saber also expressed his sincere gratitude to the Republic of Angola, its embassy in Cairo, and all who contributed to this cultural and symbolic achievement, adding that the statue will remain a testament to the friendship binding the two countries and peoples.
Saber further said that Cairo will continue to support and foster its relations with neighboring cities, capitals, and nations, guided by the belief that cities are not only places where people live, but bridges of communication, understanding, and peace among peoples.
Concluding his speech, Saber welcomed the attendees to the park, expressing his hope that this occasion will remain a shining milestone in the course of Egypt‑Angola relations, and that Dr. António Agostinho Neto’s statue will stand in the heart of Cairo as a symbol of friendship, mutual respect, and fraternal bonds between Egypt and Angola.
The ceremony featured the unveiling of the memorial to the Angolan national hero and the laying of a wreath in his honor.
Source: Media Department, Cairo governorate
