According to a statement sent to Lusa news agency, in 2017, António Bento Bembe will have without prior notice "voluntarily abandoned" the FCD, "without the consent of its members".
The note underlines that it was with surprise that FCD members saw their then leader on the list of deputies of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) to the National Assembly.
"In view of the repeated refusal of General Bento Bembe to the invitations of the majority of the members of the board to clarify his position, and the lack of leadership, the two vice-presidents and other members of the organization called on April 21, 2019, an extraordinary meeting, which resulted in the creation of a Transition Commission in charge of directing the organization until the election of the new board", the document states.
At the head of the committee, by consensus, retired general Maurício Nzulú was assigned the task of reviewing the organization's statutes, with a view to adapting them to the new challenges and preparing the conditions for the elections of the new president and the your vices.
Elections were held nine months later, with Maurício Nzulú being democratically elected president of the FCD.
"For the above, we want to make it clear to national and international public opinion that General Maurício Amado Nzulú is the only and exclusive maximum voice authorized by the FCD", underlines the statement, recalling that the FCD is not a party, just a partner of the Government in the search for ways to solve the Cabinda problem.
In this sense, they consider that in the punctual revision of the Constitution of the Republic that is currently taking place, for the problem of autonomy claimed for Cabinda several years ago, it is time for a consultation, together or separately, with the representative and credible local political and civic organizations, extensive to religious and traditional authorities, as well as other personalities.
Last week, António Bente Bembe, who introduced himself as FCD president, announced, at a press conference, ongoing talks with the Government to resume the implementation of the memorandum of understanding, signed in 2006, for peace in the oil province of Cabinda.
António Bento Bembe said that the implementation of the memorandum has witnessed a moment of stagnation, for at least 12 years, noting that he had already held two meetings with President João Lourenço, who was equally concerned about the state of the process.
"Right now, preparations are underway to resume the matter. Despite the delay, this does not mean a lack of consideration on the matter. In the context of this preparation, dialogue is maintained between the FCD and representatives of the Government and the party, that is why, at any moment, the proper handling of the remaining issues of the memorandum of understanding for peace and reconciliation in the province of Cabinda and the application of the special statute will be resumed," stated Bento Bembe.
The memorandum of understanding was signed on August 1, 2006, however, in 2009, the joint commission for its implementation, composed of members of the central government, the FCD, the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé and the Council of Churches Christians from Angola, has been paralyzed since 2009, finding itself "in a phase of apathy", complained António Bento Bembe.
The FCD is integrated by FLEC Renovada, chaired by António Bento Bembe, by FLEC/FAC, then led by the late Nzita Tiago, and by the Frente Democrática de Cabinda (FCD), which he had at the head of the António Lelo organization, having participated at the time of the memorandum of understanding negotiations with members of civil society and the diaspora.
