Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço visited Algeria from May 11 to 13, 2026, at the invitation of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, to elevate bilateral relations to a full strategic partnership. The visit aimed to consolidate historical cooperation and support common African aspirations within the framework of the African Union's Agenda 2063. Both leaders expressed political will to strengthen brotherhood, solidarity, and mutual support, with cooperation enhanced across vital fields including energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, renewable energies, infrastructure, digitization, health, higher education, and vocational training. At the end of the visit, both sides expressed satisfaction with the results of the talks.
High-Level Engagements and Agreements
Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço held bilateral talks with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, which later expanded to include their respective delegations. During his visit, President Lourenço also met with the Speaker of the People's National Assembly and the Prime Minister, and addressed members of both chambers of the Algerian Parliament. The parties agreed to activate cooperation in strategic sectors and strengthen institutional cooperation mechanisms, with the next session of the Joint Bilateral Committee scheduled to take place in Luanda.
Algeria and Angola welcomed the recent opening of a direct air route between Algiers and Luanda. Several legal instruments for cooperation in priority areas were signed during the visit. The two leaders exchanged medals and honorary decorations, and President Lourenço extended an official invitation for President Tebboune to visit Angola. The joint statement was issued on May 13, 2026, in Arabic, French, and Portuguese. President Lourenço also toured the Fouka 2 seawater desalination plant in Tipaza Province.
Historical Ties and African Aspirations
A joint statement issued by the Presidency of the Republic emphasized the depth of historical ties between Algeria and Angola, rooted in their joint struggle against colonialism. During his visit, Angolan President João Lourenço paid respects at the Shrine of the Martyr in Algiers to the martyrs of the Algerian Revolution and visited the Museum of the Mujahid. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune renewed congratulations to the Angolan people on the 50th anniversary of their independence. He also expressed appreciation for the posthumous honors granted to former Presidents Houari Boumediene and Ahmed Ben Bella, and Colonel and former Ambassador Mokhtar Kerkoub. President Tebboune congratulated his Angolan counterpart on the success of his presidency of the African Union, which concluded in February 2026. The joint statement praised the UN General Assembly's adoption of a resolution describing the transatlantic slave trade of Africans as one of the gravest crimes against humanity. Both nations called for fair compensation for Africa and the descendants of Africans. President Lourenço also visited the Sidi Abdallah Scientific and Technological Pole.
Shared Vision on Security and Integration
Algeria and Angola lauded the convergence of their positions on various regional and international issues. Both nations commended their close coordination within international bodies, particularly concerning support for mutual candidacies. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço affirmed their commitment to strengthening peace and security across Africa, stressing the principle of African solutions to African problems. They rejected any foreign interference and pledged to combat terrorism and transnational organized crime. Both sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and reiterated their commitment to strengthening security cooperation. The Angolan President praised Algeria's role in combating terrorism and its leadership of African Union efforts in this area. Additionally, both parties renewed their support for the African economic integration process, including the African Continental Free Trade Area. During his visit, President Gonçalves Lourenço also toured the Great Mosque of Algiers.
Global Stance and Regional Issues
On the international level, Presidents Abdelmadjid Tebboune and João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço affirmed their commitment to international law and multilateralism. They called for reform of the global governance system, specifically the UN Security Council, to ensure fair representation for Africa. Regarding the Western Sahara issue, both parties reiterated support for the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination. They called for a just, lasting, and agreed-upon political solution to the Western Sahara issue. The leaders expressed concern over the situation in the Middle East, emphasizing the need for a just solution ensuring the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. During his visit, President Lourenço also visited the Central Supply Base of the First Military Region.