The UNITA president said this Wednesday that the war in Angola was “long over” and that peace was built by all, challenging the ruling MPLA to “learn” pluralism and democracy.
Adalberto da Costa Junior spoke in Kuito, the capital of the Angolan province of Bie, about two hours after visiting Lopitanga, where the remains of Jonas Savimbi, the founder of the party, who died in battle on February 22, 2002, are buried, and that he will turn 88 this Wednesday.
The leader of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) expressed regret that he was denied permission to occupy the largest square in Biya for his rally, calling on governors to “take the shirts off the parties” and stressing that mandates do not last forever when they give you confidence, we know it’s for a certain time.”
The candidate spoke at a press conference on Monday in which the leader of the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) said that anyone who thinks of winning the elections would be “crazy”, warning UNITA about actions of a “subversive nature”, recalling that ” sabotage was defeated on February 22, 2002,” alluding to the death in battle of Savimbi, who for almost 30 years waged war against government forces supported by the MPLA.
“It’s good that we talked, I was sad about the content [mas serviu] to show how the thinking of some comrades who are afraid of losing power is going on,” objected Adalberto da Costa Junior, emphasizing that the time of the election campaign “is meant for competition, but with respect, it’s not stupidity, it’s not anger, call your competitor a foreigner” .
He insisted that 47 years in one party “is a long time”, referring to the MPLA, and that “the time has come for rotation”, criticizing the militant tone.
“Yes, there was a war, we all did it, we all need to take responsibility and turn the page. The war ended a long time ago, and we also worked to make peace a reality, we worked hard for it,” the leader of the Black Rooster party emphasized, adding that the war ended not because there was the will of one side, but thanks to the will of all.
Also in response to the statements of João “Jo” Martins, who said that in the event of subversive actions, “UNITA will be fought not by the MPLA, but by the Angolan state with its institutions”, Adalberto da Costa Junior accused the MPLA of wanting to use the defense and security forces to ensure maintaining power.
“But our armed forces are no longer going to participate in the fun, our police are not going to participate in the fun,” he told his supporters.
“If being crazy means loving Angola and the Angolans and fighting for the welfare of the Angolans, then I am crazy,” he said, emphasizing that talking about transition is important for any country with stability and development, and much more for a country like Angola. ., which lacks stability and development.
The candidate considered that the manifestation of openness to dialogue is a manifestation of openness and preparation, in contrast to what his main political opponent does.
“We have been warned that we are a danger to the country, therefore holding a rotation is a danger to Angola, is holding a democracy a danger to Angola? and rights and the people forgot, it was the gentlemen who filled the lists [de eleitores] dead,” the politician said.
The UNITA leader stressed that he “has been following the elections very closely from the very beginning” and called on the population to mobilize to vote as nothing has been decided yet: “You are the ones who will say who will rule Angola in the future” and “They want to steal your vote ” he warned.
Prior to Adalberto da Costa Juniora, the second and third numbers of the UNITA list, belonging to other political forces, united in a platform called the United Patriotic Front, which also brings together representatives of civil society, spoke.
Justino Pinto de Andrade, third leader of the Democratic Bloc, said the MPLA was “tired” and deplored the party’s “maneuvering to intimidate opponents and Angolans” which “didn’t understand what democracy is”.
Number two, vice-presidential candidate and leader of the PRA-JA Servir Angola political project, Abel Chivuvuku, emphasized that “everyone is a single team led by UNITA.”
UNITA and the MPLA are the main rivals in the campaign for the August 24 general election, which is contested by a total of eight political forces.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
