According to the president of the parliamentary group of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), Reis Júnior, the "disruptions in international markets" have exacerbated the hardships of Angolan families, posing new challenges to the country's economic and social stability.
"It is imperative, in this scenario, to reaffirm the need for public policies adapted to the new situation and focused on social protection and family income, controlling inflation, and guaranteeing access to essential goods. This is the way to defend the well-being of Angolans and ensure the resilience of our economy in the face of external upheavals," the congressman said.
Reis Júnior, who was presenting his party's political declaration at Thursday's plenary meeting, urged the executive branch to continue reinforcing measures aimed at curbing the exponential rise in basic food prices.
He also called for "compliance with market stabilization and regulation policies to reduce the impact of structural measures, such as the gradual withdrawal of fuel subsidies."
Rising fuel prices, public transportation fares, private school fees, and water and electricity bills have sparked a wave of protests in Angolan society in recent days, with demonstrations of condemnation of government measures.
The politician also condemned all acts of intolerance and political violence in the country, asserting that his party "is, and will continue to be, an uncompromising defender of the right to difference, freedom of expression, and political pluralism."
He asserted that the MPLA does not and will not condone acts that undermine peaceful coexistence among Angolans. He lamented, however, that the country's recent history, "which cannot be erased or silenced, has left traces of this evil."
"Therefore, let us all build true reconciliation with empathy and political responsibility," he appealed, noting that "frivolous accusations," direct or indirect, without evidence or substance, leveled against the MPLA or the State, "do not serve peace or democracy."
Regarding domestic politics, the MPLA parliamentary leader accused the president of UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola), Adalberto Costa Júnior, of lying when he claimed to have received a letter from the MPLA in which the party refused to discuss the electoral legislative package.
"It is important that Angolans know the truth: this letter was not published because the UNITA president lied. In reality, the MPLA parliamentary group clearly reaffirmed, in that letter, its full willingness to build consensus within the legislative process," he argued.
Júnior also criticized the UNITA leader for publicly stating that Angola had purchased the presidency of the African Union (AU), which has been held since last February by President João Lourenço.
He noted that Costa Júnior's statement, "besides demonstrating his lack of knowledge of the rules governing the organization and functioning" of the AU, constitutes "a gross disrespect to that prestigious institution, which fights for the noblest causes of Africa and its people."
