The President of the MPLA and President of Angola, João Lourenço, has announced his intention to run for re-election as the party’s leader during a meeting of the Political Bureau (BP), the party’s highest body, held today in Luanda.
According to the final communiqué read by the MPLA Secretary for Information and Propaganda, Esteves Hilário, “the BP was informed of the comrade’s intention to present a direct candidacy for the presidency of the MPLA” within the framework of the IX Ordinary Congress scheduled for December. The party leadership congratulated Lourenço on his announcement.
João Lourenço has appointed Member of Parliament and National Electoral Commission member Ju Martins as his campaign representative.
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The session began with a moment of silence for the victims of the “May 27” events, following the recent presentation of an official list of those who lost their lives. The meeting also addressed matters concerning the party’s internal operations, preparations for upcoming political activities, and strategies to strengthen grassroots mobilization.
The race for the MPLA leadership includes Higino Carneiro, José Carlos Almeida, and António Venâncio, all of whom have expressed their intentions to run. Additionally, Irene Neto—daughter of Angola’s first president, Agostinho Neto—has not ruled out a potential candidacy, according to a recent interview with Novo Jornal.
Under the current Angolan Constitution, João Lourenço is ineligible to run for a third term as President of the Republic.
