Ver Angola

Politics

Elections: Chinese embassy worried about security during campaign

The Chinese embassy in Luanda advised Chinese residents in Angola to reduce “activities abroad” due to the “increasing instability and uncertainty of the security situation” caused by the campaign for the general elections.

:

In a statement published on the Chinese social network WeChat, the embassy warned Chinese companies and citizens to "pay close attention to the local security situation before and after the elections, in addition to strengthening protection and surveillance".

The communiqué released on Tuesday also suggested that Chinese residents in Angola "avoid going to sensitive or crowded places", as well as holding all kinds of events or participating in electoral actions.

On Monday, an association of businessmen from northeast China based in Angola had also expressed concern about public safety during the election campaign, according to Hua Qiao Zai Xian, a Chinese-language news portal.

A few hours later, WeChat censored the news, explaining that, "following complaints from users", it concluded that "this content is suspected of violating relevant laws, regulations and policies".

Last week, citizens of Luanda told Lusa they feared the "focus of intolerance" that can be seen in the "party atmosphere" of the electoral campaign in the capital.

"It has a historical background of situations that the country has already experienced and it is not good this year, in this fifth democratic party in the country", said Euclides José Monteiro.

The 32-year-old professor was referring to the nearly 30-year long civil war between the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and the MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola).

On Tuesday, the director general of UNITA's electoral campaign, Lukamba Paulo "Gato", refused any possibility of returning to war in the country.

Angola holds its fifth general elections in its history on the 24th, always won by the MPLA.

UNITA bets on alternation by presenting a list in which it integrates elements of civil society and other political forces, including former MPLA militants, in what it has designated as the United Patriotic Front.

More than 14 million voters, residing in Angola and abroad, will be called upon to choose a new President and representatives in the National Assembly in an election that is expected to be very disputed between the two main opponents, MPLA and UNITA, and in which seven parties and a coalition.

Related

Permita anúncios no nosso site

×

Parece que está a utilizar um bloqueador de anúncios
Utilizamos a publicidade para podermos oferecer-lhe notícias diariamente.