"I hope that these elections are another step in the consolidation of democracy because Angola is a very important country in the political definition of the continent and the African space", said Carlos César, in Luanda.
The socialist leader was part of a group of international observers that was received this Monday by João Lourenço, current President of the Republic and ruling MPLA candidate, at the fifth general elections in the country's political history.
Speaking at the end of the meeting, the Portuguese politician pointed out that democracy is like a building under construction, which "does not yet have all the windows, and therefore must be improved and not torn down", alluding to the need for Angolans to continue to build its democratic process.
"It is this process that must advance, valuing elements that are very important in democracies, namely tolerance, the ability to live with each other, the defense of peace", he underlined.
"Everyone gains from this, war serves no one. Angolans know it very well and have learned from their own suffering", he added.
Asked about allegations of fraud by some candidacies, especially in relation to the presence of names of deceased in the electoral roll, the PS president devalued, considering that in elections "only those present vote".
"Our electoral rolls as countries of emigration are always very outdated, but what matters is that on election day those who are there vote in person and that, on that day, everything goes transparently, seriously, with scrutiny on the part of everyone ", said.
Noting the existence of list delegates everywhere and for all candidacies, Carlos César expressed himself confident that "whatever the outcome of these elections, the people will be satisfied with themselves and with their democracy".
Several individuals and members of international organizations such as the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) participated in this meeting with the leader of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA).
The Mozambican Tomás Salomão, former executive secretary of SADC, highlighted, for his part, the "peaceful way" in which people and political parties "can express their will, their points of view, even disagreeing with this or that aspect ".
"This is significant that Angolan democracy is growing because there is freedom", highlighted Tomás Salomão, who said he hoped that Angolans would go to the polls on August 24 and make choices in a "mature and conscious" way.
In the same vein, former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano, also in Angola for electoral observation, said he was hopeful that the Angolan elections would take place in a peaceful environment.
"I can only appeal for the people to come en masse to exercise their right so that the party is real and broad for the entire Angolan nation. They must participate to strengthen this democracy that they have built with great cost since the defeat of fascism", urged.
Eight political forces, seven parties and a coalition compete in these elections that will elect the President of the Republic, the vice-president and the deputies to the National Assembly.
