The commander-in-chief of the National Police, Arnaldo Manuel Carlos, who was speaking on the sidelines of a parade demonstrating the guarantee of the inauguration of President João Lourenço, said that people were being detained, who, however, he considered not to be activists, but "citizens who jeopardize public order".
"We are not detaining activists, activists are good people, who promote values. The detained people are committing crimes on social media, promoting rebellion and other acts that are criminal, are prohibited in the Penal Code", he declared, without specifying how many have already been arrested and denying that the police are harassing activists.
The police official stressed that the main mission is to guarantee the safety of people and goods and that citizens have nothing to fear.
"Honest and hardworking citizens value our presence on the street, they feel comforted and safe, only the delinquent is afraid, the delinquent has to be afraid because we are here to hold criminally responsible those who commit crimes and intend to create instability within the populations", he underlined, adding that the country "needs peace".
Assumptions that will be imposed by the forces of order "if they are not freely accepted".
"We are concerned about certain people who, individually or in groups, promote acts of rebellion through social networks, which have encouraged rebellion, civil disobedience and vandalism", pointed out Arnaldo Manuel Carlos.
"Many are being held criminally responsible, they are being detained and we are not going to give space for that. Any country has order and ours also has order. It is necessary to respect the leaders and authorities, it is not democracy to go to social networks and treat people and entities, respect is due to all", stressed the official, stressing that the country "will only develop if there is safety and respect between people".
The opposition admitted calling for demonstrations to show discontent with the official election results, which gave the MPLA victory, but no protest has yet been scheduled by the parties.
However, appeals are circulating on social media for a demonstration on the eve and on the date of the inauguration of João Lourenço, re-elected President of the Republic and vice-president, Esperança Costa, on Thursday.
A source from the Provincial Government of Luanda also said that he was not aware of any communication in this regard.
Asked by Lusa about whether demonstrations can be held on days when time tolerance has been decreed - such as the day of inauguration -, Arnaldo Carlos, referred to the law, "which must be complied with".
Violent demonstrations are prohibited: "we are there with firmness and means to restore order if situations of this nature arise", he warned.
Angolan law allows demonstrations as long as they are previously communicated and carried out on specific days and times.
They can only take place from 7 pm on weekdays and after 1 pm on Saturdays, except in duly justified and authorized situations. Protesters may not approach less than 100 meters from the headquarters of sovereign bodies, military and prison facilities, diplomatic representations or political party headquarters.
The manifestations must also be communicated in advance to the administrative authorities, namely the provincial governments.
Arnaldo Carlos pointed out that this is the last and most important phase of the electoral process, taking into account the inauguration of Organs elected bodies.
The commissioner-general gave a positive assessment of the security work and maintenance of public order during the electoral process and stressed that the electoral campaign was successfully ensured, guaranteeing freedom of movement and security for all those involved in the process, including the eight competing parties and coalitions, allowing voters to exercise their right "in a quiet way".
