In an unprecedented move, Angola’s primary opposition party, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (Unita), has filed a motion in parliament seeking to initiate an impeachment process to remove President Joao Lourenço from office. While the initiative was publicly announced in July, the reasons for impeachment were detailed in a 100-page document, signed by all 90 of Unita’s Members of Parliament.
The comprehensive document includes 200 pleadings, over 200 pieces of documentary evidence, and 40 citizens as witnesses supporting Unita’s parliamentary group. Unita accused President Lourenço of responsibility for food shortages, rising unemployment, the imprisonment of demonstrators, and exhibiting authoritarian tendencies.
In response to the motion, the parliament speaker called an extraordinary meeting to analyze the opposition’s petition. Unita’s parliamentary group leader explained that the next step would involve the courts verifying the legality of the process, ultimately leaving it to the parliament to decide on the president’s removal.
Liberty Chiaka, the head of Unita’s parliamentary group, expressed optimism, stating, “Angolan democracy will free itself from the bonds of authoritarianism and will consolidate the democratic state and the rule of law.” He added, “Angola will never be the same.” The opposition has also refuted accusations that the impeachment process is a coup attempt.
President Joao Lourenço, 69, and his ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) secured a contested election victory last year with 124 parliamentary seats. However, Unita managed to double the number of seats it had won in the 2017 polls.
The impeachment initiative is met with some skepticism, given the MPLA’s parliamentary majority. Impeachment requires a two-thirds majority or more of sitting MPs to pass, something unprecedented in Angola’s history, largely due to the MPLA’s historical dominance and the nation’s prolonged period of conflict following independence.
Nonetheless, it now falls to the President of the National Assembly to guide the next steps in this process. Notably, this is not the first time the opposition has expressed a desire to remove President Lourenço from office, as similar calls were made in August during organized rallies and protests.
These developments are met with a range of opinions from analysts. Some believe Angola is transitioning to a new phase of its democracy, testing the ruling MPLA’s popularity and its commitment to adhering to the constitution. However, others express concerns about potential government crackdowns on the individuals leading this movement.
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