“We are a rule of law and we have to respect the laws and what the law says is that it is the competence of the Superior Council for the Judiciary (CSMJ) to appoint, through the appropriate process, the president of the CNE”, declared João Lourenço during a visit of field to the Textang II factory.
The president of the CNE, Manuel Pereira da Silva “Manico”, who takes office this Wednesday in the National Assembly, is a controversial choice that has already deserved the repudiation of the opposition and civil society organizations, which point out irregularities in the contest and in the process appointment.
The Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and four other independent opposition MPs filed requests against the swearing-in of the new CNE president, who were rejected by the parliamentary majority (MPLA).
For João Lourenço, the National Assembly “has no other action to do, except in the light of the legislation in force, limit itself to investing” in the candidate, insisting that he was chosen by the CSMJ.
The name of Manuel Pereira da Silva “Manico” was the subject of an appeal by UNITA, submitted to the Supreme Court.
In the precautionary measure, the second largest Angolan political force asked for the suspension of the selection of Manuel Pereira da Silva by the Superior Council of the Judiciary, due to several irregularities registered in the curriculum contest for the filling of the positions of president of CNE and president of the Provincial Commissions and Electoral Municipalities.
In response, the Supreme Court argued that the precautionary measure should not have been proposed by UNITA, given the fact that it was not a party to the competition that approved candidate Manuel Pereira da Silva as president of CNE.
