Abel Chivukuvuku was speaking at a press conference where a statement from the FPU on the country's political situation was read. The platform was formed in 2022 by the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), and includes PRA-JA Servir Angola, the Democratic Bloc and members of civil society.
Abel Chivukuvuku said that, over the last few weeks, he has noticed "a high level of anxiety, which was not justified", surrounding the recent legalisation of PRA-JA Servir Angola, after several rejections by the Constitutional Court, which led him to conclude "that PRA-JA is worth something after all".
The politician stressed that the deliberative body that will convene the PRA-JA Servir Angola congress should meet before the end of the year or in the first quarter of 2025.
When asked whether he will remain in parliament or suspend his mandate, Abel Chivukuvuku replied that "the law is simple and clear", stating that deputies elected by UNITA lists and who become leaders of other parties become illegal.
"Until legalization, there was no fear, because there was no party, now we are going to structure ourselves, we have provisional bodies and soon they will convene the congress, with all the modalities that the congress implies", he explained.
"While we do not have congresses, while we do not have bodies, all these things, everything is up for debate, which means that there will come a time when we will have to leave parliament, I do not know if now or when, but it will have to happen", he added.
Abel Chivukuvuku stressed that anyone who chooses to remain a member of parliament will not be included in the bodies of PRA-JA Servir Angola.
"Anyone who wants to join the bodies of PRA-JA leaves parliament, because it is a legal issue, not a political issue or a question of will," he stated.
In its statement on the country's political situation, the FPU highlighted the "hard-earned victory" of PRA-JA Servir Angola, a "steadfast partner" of this political platform.
"The United Patriotic Front congratulates the members of the PRA-JA Servir Angola Installation Committee for their resilience in this fight for legalization, which lasted about five years," said Adalberto Costa Júnior, coordinator of the FPU and leader of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), the largest opposition party.
According to Adalberto Costa Júnior, the FPU, which is also part of the Democratic Bloc, led by Filomeno Vieira Lopes, praised the pressure from Angolan public opinion, which questioned the Constitutional Court's rejection of the creation of PRA-JA Servir Angola, "being aware that it will do everything to thwart the regime's attempts to combat the FPU", encouraging its unity.
Adalberto Costa Júnior said that, in recent days, "the regime" has given guidance to the news broadcasts of state bodies, "in order to question the firmness and strength of the United Patriotic Front".
"For Angolans, the United Patriotic Front represents the commitment to bring about a participatory democracy, to carry out the reforms that the country needs for development", he stressed.
