"Right now, what we have to do is to resume the dynamics of CASA-CE, the one that everybody knows, because CASA has room, it has staff all over the national territory, and CASA is going to the elections to compete," said Manuel Fernandes at the inauguration ceremony, which was not attended by his predecessor in the leadership of the coalition, André Mendes de Carvalho "Miau".
In his inauguration speech, Manuel Fernandes, who was elected last Tuesday to replace André Mendes de Carvalho "Miau", who resigned at the request of four of the six parties that make up CASA-CE, said that the coalition "has its political space consolidated and its staff capable of conceiving ideas and carrying the message of change to the Angolan people".
Manuel Fernandes, admitting "some not so good situations" that the coalition faced, without specifying, stressed that CASA-CE should "prepare itself and open the doors to all those" who understand to make the coalition's path the search for a better Angola.
"This battle needs a more comprehensive involvement of our society, hence we take this sovereign opportunity to invite the various strata in the full enjoyment of their civil and political rights, that is why we are a convergence," he stressed.
The new leader of CASA-CE, a coalition created in 2012, with Abel Chivukuvuku leading until February 2019, rejected political narratives "in which some think they are the only ones sent by God to rule forever, even without satisfying the interests of the governed, and others who think they are sent by God with the exclusive mission of being the only ones capable of assuming the values of political change."
For those who "proclaim" the end of CASA-CE with "some not so good situations" that the coalition has faced in recent times, Manuel Fernandes asks them to "rest assured that CASA-CE continues and will continue to stand."
"And we advise you to change your minds, under penalty of falling into frustration, for not seeing such a desire come true. If you want to come, CASA is big and has room for everyone," he said.
The politician, leader of the Angolan Pacific Party (PPA) and member of the National Assembly, pointed out as main bets in his mandate the continuous deep revitalization of the coalition, which passes, among others, by the formation and political-scientific capacitation of the militants, the reorganization of the coalition structures in terms of mobilization and creation of nuclei to better serve the citizens.
"The revitalization will also include the enlargement and solidification of our base structures in the various parts of the country, the preparation of cadres for the local authorities, the promotion of greater proximity with the churches, governmental and non-governmental organizations, pressure groups, civic, scientific-academic, cultural, sports associations, and other social organizations," he said.
Manuel Fernandes also addressed a word of recognition to the former president of CASA-CE, "for having assumed the coalition in a very difficult moment", and that he continues to count on his collaboration "in this arduous mission".
According to the new leader, André Mendes de Carvalho "Miau", who at the announcement of his departure from the leadership of CASA-CE said that he remains in the coalition, but with a focus only on the parliament, was not present at the ceremony due to "family and health concerns".
At the press conference in which he announced that he was leaving the leadership of CASA-CE, André Mendes de Carvalho, who took office in May 2019, replacing Abel Chivukuvuku, due to an alleged lack of trust among his partners, expressed some displeasure with the arguments presented in the letter that asked to make the position available, as being "completely false".
