João Lourenço, who was speaking at the start of the work of the second ordinary session of the Council of Ministers, stressed that the details of the proposals, their meaning, scope and rationale will be presented publicly.
"With this proposal for a punctual revision of the Constitution, it is intended to preserve the stability of its fundamental principles, to adapt some of its norms to the current reality, keeping it adjusted to the political, social and economic context, to clarify the mechanisms of political oversight and to improve the relationship between sovereign bodies, as well as correcting some shortcomings ", he highlighted.
"After a thorough reflection and a thorough study, but above all the experience resulting from its application under the terms of article 233 of the Constitution of the Angolan Republic (CRA), I decided to take the initiative to revise the Constitution, the terms of which will be seen in this session of the Councils of Ministers and later forwarded to the National Assembly for the proper purposes ", indicated the head of state.
João Lourenço justified the changes with the need to "preserve national stability and values" of the democratic rule of law.
According to the President, a punctual review will be carried out, with a view to clarifying the institutional relationship model between the President of the Republic as the holder of executive power and the National Assembly with regard to political oversight; consecration of the right to vote to Angolan citizens residing abroad.
The amendments also aim at the constitutional affirmation of Banco Nacional de Angola as an administrative entity independent from the executive branch; elimination of the principle of gradualism as a guiding constitutional principle in the process of effective institutionalization of local authorities; constitutionalization of a fixed period for holding general elections among other matters.
João Lourenço added that proposals for the inclusion of new matters will also be presented and some aspects of the Constitution will be clarified.
For the head of the Angolan executive, these changes are intended "to have a better Constitution so that it continues to be the main instrument for structuring Angolan society, capable of bringing together Angolans around a common project of a society of peace, justice and social progress ".
