Angolans vote for new president as Jose Eduardo dos Santos steps down
After 38 years of the Angolan President being in power, he has finally decided to step down and give a chance to others capable.
Jose Eduardo dos Santos has been the second longest ruling President in Africa, having been the president of Angola for 38 years. However, on Wednesday, Angolans have finally been granted a chance of casting their presidential vote, without Jose Eduardo appearing on the ballot paper as a presidential candidate.
Angolans moved to the polling stations as early as possible on Wednesday, to cast their vote choosing between the ruling party’s candidate and other five parties’ candidates.
Angola’s Defense Minister Joao Lourenco, is the candidate that came from the ruling party called ‘Movement for the Liberation of Angola’ (MPLA).
There are two main named opposition parties in Angola: the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and the Broad Convergence for the Salvation of Angola Electoral Coalition (CASA-CE). It is from these three parties that the Angolans are expected to mainly choose that whom they see is capable, though, there are some other candidates.
Joao Lourenco has pledged to boost growth and fight corruption in Angola.
However, on Tuesday 22 August 2017, with just hours to the election day, Lindo Bernardo Tito, the CASA-CE presidential candidate and spokesperson, has been reportedly reported saying that his party fears that the MPLA party will rig the vote, to have their candidate Lourenco take the seat.
“The ruling party installed in this country does not guarantee free, fair and transparent elections,” Lindo Bernardo Tito was reported saying.
At this point, he promised that if his party proves of any rigging taking place in the elections, they will immediately protest by filing a case in the court.
The Angola Electoral Commission has regarding the accusation, dismissed it and assured that the election would be free, fair and transparent.
Apart from the election rigging accusations, Joao Lourenco, the ruling party candidate has been pictured to will be a puppet president if a chance comes and he takes the seat.
This is being proved with the fact that President Jose Eduardo dos Santos despite the fact that he will be the president no more, will still be the MPLA party leader and still has a say in decision making.
It is reported that with Jose Eduardo dos Santos’s daughter Isabel, being the CEO of Sonangol, the national oil producer and his son Jose Filomeno in charge of the state investment fund, if Lourenco takes the seat, he might have less power.
However, Joao Lourenco, the presidential candidate from the ruling party has defended himself saying that he would focus on leading an ‘economic miracle’, possibly with the help of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank and prosecute corrupt politicians – reported SABC News.
Correspondent: Shamilah Namuddu