The arguments were presented this Thursday by jurists Sérgio Raimundo and Manuel Cangundo during a round table on the "need to adjust the Constitution", promoted in Luanda by the Jean Piaget University of Angola (UNIPIAGET).
For Sérgio Raimundo, the expression "adjustment of the Constitution" is minimalist in relation to the dimension of the problem in light of the reality that Angola is experiencing, which is why "a profound review is urgent".
"It is urgent because the current (...) is the first and main obstacle to sustainable socioeconomic development and the promotion of social well-being for all Angolans," he said.
On the other hand, he pointed out the need for political stability in the country and the construction of a truly Angolan nation, with a genuine and inclusive reconciliation process, as the second reason for the urgent review of the Constitution, regretting the exclusion of Holden Roberto (FNLA) and Jonas Savimbi (UNITA) in the decorations for the 50 years of national independence.
"And yesterday [Wednesday] I heard that our parliament refused to recognize the leaders of other political forces that, alongside the MPLA, were at the origin of the conquest of our independence, I don't know why", he lamented.
According to Sérgio Raimundo, the Constitution, approved in 2010 and revised punctually in 2022, "does not help the country's reconciliation", arguing that any "genuine and inclusive reconciliation will have to start with the Constitution", especially because "it was only approved by the MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola)".
Parliament approved on Wednesday the decoration of António Agostinho Neto and José Eduardo dos Santos, first and second President of the Republic, respectively, excluding Holden Roberto, historic leader of the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA) and Jonas Savimbi, founding leader of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) in the tributes to the 50 years of independence.
The country's 50th anniversary of independence (November 11, 1975) should be used "to sow the seeds of true reconciliation," argued Sérgio Raimundo.
"No one can tell the story of Angola's independence without talking about the Alvor Agreement – signed in January 1975 in the Algarve, Portugal, between the Portuguese Government and the leaders of the then liberation movements António Agostinho, Holden Roberto and Jonas Savimbi [UNITA] which established parameters for Angola's independence – what's wrong with accepting Savimbi and Holden Roberto as references in the fight for independence if this is an inescapable reality?", he also asked.
Lawyer Manuel Cangundo also argued that the Constitution contains provisions that must be revised to ensure the establishment of a true rule of law.
The jurist highlighted the appointment of judges to the higher courts by the president "as one of the fundamental concerns" that undermine the materialization of a democratic state.
"Unfortunately, we have strong men and weak institutions in Angola and this issue of appointing judges to the higher courts has an impact on the lives of each of us at the end of the day, due to the need for an impartial and partial court," he highlighted.
The supervision of the executive's actions by the National Assembly, in Manuel Cangundo's view, must also be reviewed, because the assembly or parliament "is the true power that represents the aspirations of the people".
"Unfortunately, in Angola we have a parliament without the power or competence to monitor the actions of the executive branch," concluded the jurist.
The round table took place within the scope of the Debates in Academia Project promoted by UNIPIAGET.
