UNITA appeals to Angola police not to use force against protestors

LUANDA, Angola

UNITA on Monday called on defence and security forces to refrain from using force against citizens wishing to demonstrate on João Lourenço’s inauguration, which they say lacks legitimacy.

In a statement from its communications and marketing secretariat, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) insisted it does not recognise the election results, validated last week by the Constitutional Court, “because they are contrary to the will expressed by the majority of voters in the ballot boxes” and denounced the denial of the right to justice.

At issue is the fact that the Constitutional Court rejected the request for clarification of ruling 769/2022, in which it dismissed the appeal filed by UNITA, thus closing the electoral dispute process.

The Galo Negro party also appealed to the good sense of the defence and security forces, “deployed throughout the country and equipped with heavy weaponry, to refrain from using force against citizens.

The Angolan armed forces have raised their state of combat readiness until 20 September to avoid incidents that “disturb public order and tranquillity”.

As well as strengthening security measures for the main economic and strategic targets and state institutions, patrols in urban and suburban centres have been stepped up.

Columns of military and police vehicles, with armoured cars, have circulated on the main access roads to Luanda, giving visibility to military orders.

"UNITA believes that such a framework aims to intimidate citizens who want to demonstrate against the election results on the day of the inauguration of a president without legitimacy,” said the statement from the party led by Adalberto da Costa Júnior.

According to the final tabulation of the general elections held on 24 August, the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and its candidate, outgoing President João Lourenço, won with 51.17% of the votes, followed by UNITA with 43.95%.

With these results, the MPLA elected 124 MPs and UNITA 90 MPs, almost double the 2017 elections.

The National Renewal Party (PRS) won two seats in parliament by adding 1.14% of the votes, the same number of members won by the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA) and the Humanist Party of Angola (PHA), with 1.06% and 1.02 votes, respectively.

UNITA is considering “all scenarios” and admits to taking office in the Angolan parliament, while other opposition parties are divided.

PRS has not yet decided on the swearing-in of deputies, and FNLA has also referred a decision on the swearing-in of members to party structures.

The representative of the newcomer PHA, led by Bela Malaquias, said that his party was only waiting for the inauguration day and said that its two MPs would have a “great debut” and that they should represent the voters with dignity.

The CASA-CE coalition, APN and P-Njango did not win seats in the National Assembly, which will have 220 deputies in the 2022-2027 term.