In the ruling released on Friday, the plenary of judges chaired by Laurinda Cardoso considers that António Venâncio did not present evidence of the losses that could arise from the deliberation of the MPLA Central Committee regarding the holding of the extraordinary congress scheduled to take place from Monday to Wednesday and the prerequisites for granting the precautionary measure of suspension of deliberations were not verified.
António Venâncio, who intends to run for the second time for leadership of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), alleged that serious violations of the party's statutes were at stake.
On Saturday, MPLA activist António Venâncio announced that he will take action against the extraordinary congress that begins this Monday, after the Constitutional Court rejected the precautionary measure he had taken.
Venâncio reacted to the decision through his Facebook page, stating that the VIII Extraordinary Congress will take place without the statutory assumptions having been respected, considering that the TC ignored the activists' rights to information, as the contents of the work schedule and the call was not made in advance.
"In the same way, the Constitutional Court did not reveal the unequivocal impartiality that is due to it when deciding – almost instantly – in favor of the 'Respondent' [the MPLA] in the process of suspending the congress, moved by a precautionary measure that on the 10th of December was admitted by himself", wrote the pre-candidate.
António Venâncio emphasizes that the TC "ignored the main violations" that motivated the precautionary measure and decided to continue the process "through a main action, which will be filed in a timely manner at the TC's judicial secretariat", stressing that the objective is not merely aspects administrative but rather "defend fundamental rights of militants".
The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), which turned 68 on December 10 and has been the party in power since Angola became independent in 1975, holds on Monday and Tuesday its VIII Extraordinary Congress, as the celebrations of 50 years of national independence approach.
One of the main documents to be analyzed during the congress is the thesis "MPLA, from Independence to Our Days, the Challenges of the Future", which "aims to take stock of 50 years of independence and outline strategies to face current challenges and future", according to a statement from the party.
The congress will also focus on possible adjustments to the MPLA statutes.
At issue is a possible revision of article 120, according to which the party president heads the list of candidates, for the national circle, and is also a candidate for president of the Republic, opening the door to bicephaly in power.
