"We are not a democracy. In order to have political change in Angola, it is essential that every Angolan understands that we need to defeat this autocracy. And in order to defeat this autocracy, there are paths to be followed. An autocrat cannot act freely and it is up to the people to put pressure on this autocracy", stated Nelito Ekuikui.
The leader of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), who is the secretary-general of the United Revolutionary Youth of Angola (JURA) and a member of parliament, returns to his country on Sunday after a week of political contacts in Portugal.
"The Angolan people stopped seeing themselves in the MPLA a long time ago. A long time ago. The MPLA holds power through institutions. The MPLA does not hold power through popular means", reinforced the jurist, referring to the lack of political change in the country, which celebrates 50 years of independence on 11 November, and has always been governed by the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA).
"What is Angola? Is it a democracy? Is it an autocracy? A democracy has political alternation. [Angola] has a parliament. It has a judiciary. So it has everything. And it holds elections periodically. However, there is a centralized power. Both political and economic power are controlled by a handful of people," he accuses.
Nelito Ekuikui laments the lack of so-called 'checks and balances' in Angola, referring to the system of control and balance of powers between the different parts of an administration.
"The problem lies there: a democracy has what are called 'checks and balances'. Each power holds back the other power. When all powers are captured by one power, then you don't have democracy. You have autocracy. That's what happens in Angola," he reinforces.
Nelito Ekuikui gives as an example the discussion in parliament of proposals to amend the Organic Law on General Elections, initiated by the Government, supported by the MPLA, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA).
The leader accuses the MPLA of seeking to "legitimise the electoral fraud" that has ensured its continued power.
"What the MPLA is bringing to the review of the electoral law is effectively the legitimisation of fraud. There is no room here for a law that truly serves the interests of the people. It is a law that aims to protect power", he states.
Nelito Ekuikui defends consensus and welcomes the efforts of his party's parliamentary group in seeking such consensus.
"I hope that consensus is found in the interests, above all, in the interests of Angola. Because it is a risk. There is an imminent risk if politicians do not understand that they need to make concessions. In the interests of Angola. Not in the interests of any party, but in the interests of a people who are suffering. If we do not have this courage, we will lose control", he fears.
"Elections in Angola have never been fair, much less transparent. And the last elections were not either. It is a process riddled with flaws", he says.
