In a statement released this Tuesday by the Presidency's Press Office, the bodies supporting President João Lourenço consider the allegations to be false, "vehemently" rejecting the existence of any attempt at bribery or mandated contact in this sense, challenging the leader of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) to publicly identify the alleged emitters.
Otherwise, "the appropriate constitutional and legal mechanisms for civil and criminal liability may be activated".
"It is not true that the President of the Republic has mandated any citizen to approach the president of UNITA with a view to revising the Constitution to provide for a third term", the statement stresses.
The note also recalls that the last constitutional review, in 2021, was carried out at the initiative of the executive, at a time when the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) had a qualified majority and without this issue having been raised.
The statement also contests insinuations that Angola's election to the rotating presidency of the African Union was obtained through payment.
"To insinuate that our country paid to assume such an important and dignified position within the African Union is not only irresponsible, but also unpatriotic, as it tarnishes the image and good name of Angola and discredits the African Union."
The presidency challenges Adalberto Costa Júnior to say "who paid, how much they paid and to whom they paid for Angola to assume the Presidency of the African Union," adding that the choice was made through the regional rotation system and was unanimously approved by the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in August 2023.
"Only a non-patriot would not feel proud to see his country occupy a place of great relevance, prominence and prestige on our continent," they criticize.
Adalberto Costa Júnior's statements were made on Monday, during the 3rd edition of the "Economy 100 Makas" talks, where the UNITA president stated that he had been approached by "emissaries" who proposed a constitutional review in exchange for a third presidential term.
The politician also said that the regime has resorted to legislative reviews and the massive legalization of parties as a way of maintaining power.
The Presidency also recalled in the statement other statements by Adalberto Costa Júnior considered "irresponsible", namely the claim that there was a tunnel between the National Electoral Commission and the Presidential Palace, inviting him to "follow the media so that they can travel through the aforementioned tunnel with him".
