The UNITA leader said that the political environment in Angola requires seeking spaces for dialogue, almost three years after the last meeting between the two leaders.
“We are all hopeful that this debate has not been in vain, that this time of sharing can help us improve our approaches, because it is not words, it is actions that make the difference,” the leader of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) told the press.
For the UNITA leader, only actions will “demonstrate whether or not there was a chance for change”, highlighting the need for Angolans to have “a better Government, a Government for everyone”.
According to Adalberto Costa Júnior, the hearing was requested by UNITA and was “promptly responded to”, given that the political environment that the country has been experiencing “requires the search for spaces for dialogue, for clarifying realities, for seeking consensus linked to what is currently of great concern to the country”, namely the proposed laws linked to electoral issues.
“Our concern, which is shared by society, is the lack of electoral transparency in the proposals that the Council of Ministers sent to the National Assembly,” he said.
A new electoral legislative package, with proposals for changes to Executive laws and also bills initiated by the UNITA parliamentary group, is currently being considered by the National Assembly, and has raised some questions, such as the choice of the Identity Card as the only document for voting day or the elimination of 'summary minutes' in polling stations.
The UNITA leader believes, however, that it is possible, in the National Assembly, “to find a consensus that brings democracy, plurality and transparency to electoral proposals”.
“We have addressed this reality in depth, we share the concern that exists within us and, I believe, in most of society, regarding the proposals that, in some way, the MPLA [Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola] took to the Assembly and we believe that Angola needs democratic consensus”, he expressed.
According to Adalberto Costa Júnior, in his capacity as president of UNITA and member of the Council of the Republic, he was obliged to share “the absolute need” to make the country “more plural”, to make “a collective effort again, to put aspects linked to democratic plurality back on track”.
“We need to build a country that is a country for everyone and not live in a tense environment, an environment that brings, namely, conflict that is public and that is followed by everyone,” he said.
According to the UNITA leader, almost three years passed between this Tuesday's meeting and the previous one, which also took place on his initiative when the country had just come out of the elections (August 2022).
But “regardless of political diversity” and being in opposition, the party wants “a good Angola” to live in, stressed Adalberto Costa Júnior.
“A plural Angola, a democratic Angola, an Angola without hunger, without cholera, an Angola with a better sharing than the one we have experienced and it is up to us to work to make this Angola a reality”, he said.
“We are fulfilling our obligation, it is up to us to build bridges for dialogue whenever necessary and in fact we have never had any major difficulties in requesting hearings,” he added.
The UNITA leader expressed hope that the meeting with the President, “of sincere sharing”, had allowed identifying “the absolute need” to do better for the future of Angola.
