"I declare that I am a pre-candidate and will present my candidacy for the presidency of the MPLA, formalizing it with the competent bodies that will be created for the holding of the 9th Ordinary Congress", writes Higino Carneiro in a political manifesto to which Lusa had access, justifying the decision with the "outcry of countless grassroots activists and leaders at all levels".
The open letter addressed to "comrades and compatriots", with 39 points, presents a proposal for "profound revitalization" of the MPLA, starting with returning the power of choice to the activists.
"We must establish elections at these levels, and the decision must always be made by the activists, who must elect those who deserve their vote", he states, criticizing automatic appointments within the party structure.
He also argues that the party must "break with the culture of silence, flattery and 'yes, Chief'", promoting criticism and self-criticism as "acts of political courage and respect for the people".
The former Minister of Public Works and Territorial Administration and former governor of Luanda and Benguela is committed to a reformist vision, calling for the "resurgence of active militancy" and the "return of those who have distanced themselves", inviting Angolans to rebuild the party's "winning mystique".
"I want to inspire hope — because Angola needs, more than ever, to believe in a better future", he says in the manifesto.
Higino Carneiro also emphasizes that he is not acting out of personal ambition or internal conflict: "My decision is not based on an agenda of ambition, persecution or hatred towards anyone. My future candidacy is a call for unity, reunion and faith in the principles that brought us here".
The general also advocates that the Party Action Committees (CAP) should stop being just mobilization structures for rallies, and become centers of active political intervention in the communities, and assures that he wants to "walk with everyone".
"The future cannot be postponed. Change is not a rupture, but a commitment to what we are capable of being", he concludes in the manifesto.
The manifesto comes about a month after the President of the Republic and leader of the MPLA, João Lourenço, publicly rejected any support for internal candidacies for the party leadership, in an interview with the Angolan Public Television (TPA), on June 9.
"Neither I nor the party support absolutely anyone", stated João Lourenço, adding that anyone who tries to convey the idea that they have his "blessing" to start the race "will be publicly refuted".
In the same interview, João Lourenço criticized militants who present themselves as "super generals" and "predestined to be president of the Republic", considering that this stance "kills the internal democracy" of the MPLA. "Many of us are still alive and we know what each one did", he declared.
