The deadline for submitting candidacies to the UNITA (Union for the Total Independence of Angola) congress, which will take place from December 2 to 4, ended on Thursday, with the candidacy of Adalberto da Costa Júnior, elected in the XIII Congress of 2019, annulled by decision of the Constitutional Court, the only one to be presented.
The validation of the candidacy by UNITA's mandate committee is underway and the result should be presented this Saturday, the coordinator of the commission, Amélia Ernesto, told Lusa.
"We are internally checking and validating and tomorrow [Saturday] morning we will say whether the only application submitted will be validated," she said.
Adalberto da Costa Júnior was removed from office following the ruling no. 700/2021 of the Constitutional Court, which gave reason to a group of UNITA militants who complained of irregularities at the congress, including dual nationality at the time of presentation of their candidacy for the elections of the XIII Congress - which Adalberto da Costa Júnior (ACJ) denied.
UNITA is now led by Isaias Samakuva, who led the Black Rooster party for 16 years and returned to his post as a result of the court decision that ousted ACJ and imposed the elected leadership at the XII Congress, held in 2015.
According to Amélia Ernesto, another citizen, whose militancy in UNITA was not confirmed, expressed this intention, but "did not meet the requirements".
Also in the MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola), which holds its VIII Congress between 9 and 11 December, a week after UNITA's, João Lourenço should succeed himself.
The deadline for candidacy submission ended on November 5th and, on Tuesday, the candidacy subcommittee of the National Preparatory Commission of the VIII congress announced that António Venâncio, the only militant who publicly expressed his intention to dispute the position with João Lourenço, did not file with the process.
António Venâncio did, however, present a series of complaints due to difficulties in collecting signatures and unequal treatment among candidates.
MPLA and UNITA presidents stand alone for their succession
Adalberto da Costa Júnior, elected UNITA president, removed following a court decision, and João Lourenço, MPLA president, are running alone for the leadership of their respective political forces, without further formalized candidacies.
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