Adalberto da Costa Júnior's candidacy for the presidency of UNITA was validated

Adalberto da Costa Júnior (ACJ), elected president of the Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) at the 13th Congress of 2019, was removed following a decision by the Constitutional Court that annulled the conclave and the elected board, being the presidency of the party now assured by the previous leader, Isaias Samakuva.

And, speaking to Lusa, Amélia Ernesto said that the pre-candidate ACJ, who is running alone for the party's leadership at the next Congress, which will take place between December 2 and 4, is now formally a candidate and can start the campaign from 15. from November.

He added that so far, no claims or disputes related to the candidacies for the XIII Congress have been filed.

Another citizen, named Pedro Mulemba, expressed his intention to run for office, but did not formalize his candidacy as he did not meet the necessary requirements.

The XIII Congress Organizing Committee presented an overview of the activities carried out in recent days in the context of the preparations for the conclave.

Adalberto da Costa Júnior was removed from office following the decision no. 700/2021 of the Constitutional Court of Angola, which confirmed a group of UNITA militants who complained of irregularities at the congress, including dual nationality at the time of presentation of his candidacy for the elections.

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.