MPLA stopped the process of resignation of the Angolan representative of the PR

This Saturday, the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) stopped the process of resignation of the President of the Republic, represented by UNITA, in a tense plenary session that took place behind closed doors, amid cries of “shame” from opposition deputies.

“Such a meeting in which the public interest is total, the MPLA chose to hold it behind closed doors, proving that it is afraid of the people and of democratic debate,” said the president of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), Adalberto da Costa Júnior told reporters after the release from the debate.

An extraordinary plenary meeting was called to consider the proposal for the resignation of the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, presented on Thursday by Angola’s largest opposition party and which was rejected.

“What happened here is not legal (…) We were invited to vote on nothing, there was no resolution, what happened here is nothing,” said the political leader, calling for respect for democratic rules.

Adalberto da Costa Júnior stressed that “the regime is exhausted” and questioned the fact that there was no live broadcast of the plenary session, contrary to what is customary, especially when it came to “discussing an issue of national interest”.

He also called on his MPLA colleagues “not to be afraid of democracy” and guaranteed that UNITA would remain ready to participate in the activities of the National Assembly and be present at the opening of the parliamentary year, scheduled for Monday.

Even though press access to the chamber was closed, several lawmakers circulated video of the meeting on social media, showing an atmosphere of tension as opposition lawmakers raised their fists in the air and shouted: “Angola belongs to the people, not the people.” MPLA”, “shame”, “dictatorship” and “fear”.

In a clear outrage, MP Joaquim Nafoya, also from UNITA, said National Assembly President Carolina Cerqueira had broken the rules because the proposal should be put to a secret vote.

“They acted as if we were in a banana republic, and UNITA cannot agree with this,” the parliamentarian accused, emphasizing that not allowing journalists into the hall where this topic was discussed was another violation of the law.

“Even (Carolina Cerqueira) wanted to stop the deputies from filming the video, we don’t admit that,” he countered.

What was at stake, according to MP Jo Martins, was “the tricks of UNITA,” which, when it announced in July that it would propose the removal of the Angolan president, “simulated the participation of civil society” and “manipulated this element” to present the initiative. on the eve of the opening of the new parliament

“He did this deliberately,” he accused, stressing that the assembly president followed the rules and convened a standing committee to look into the matter as it was her responsibility.

In particular, the plenary session voted not to create a possible commission on the process of indicting and dismissing the President of the Republic, signed by 90 UNITA deputies, which should prepare a report to continue the process.

“The proposal was received and it was necessary to evaluate (…) the process came and went, the initiative was received, the possible commission was rejected, the process was completed,” said J. Martins, emphasizing the massive support of the MPLA. deputies who came “to express solidarity and vote against this UNITA maneuver.”

Regarding the fact that the meeting was not broadcast, he stated that this was due to the work being carried out as Angola will host the 147th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) at the end of the month.

“We have no conditions,” he explained.

António Paulo, also from the MPLA, explained that today’s meeting allowed the plenary to decide whether or not to accept UNITA’s proposal.

“According to the rules, a decision is made when it receives an absolute majority of votes; if rejected, the process freezes,” the deputy said.