Angola Opposition Re-elects Leader After Ousting By Court
Faizan Hashmi Published December 05, 2021 | 02:00 PM
Luanda, Dec 5 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Dec, 2021 ) :The man expected to be the main candidate to take on Angola's President Joao Lourenco in polls next year has been re-elected as leader of the biggest opposition party after he was ousted by a court.
Adalberto Costa Junior was the president of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) until October, when the Constitutional Court annulled his 2019 election as party leader.
Costa Junior at the time accused the court of "an attack on democracy" without legal basis.
The court's decision came on the very same day that UNITA formed a coalition with two other groups to increase its chances of defeating the long-ruling MPLA in elections due in August 2022.
However after a three-day party congress in the capital Luanda he was re-elected as the party's leader, UNITA said in a statement on Saturday night.
Costa Junior was the only candidate and won 1,121, or 96 percent, of the votes cast.
Isaias Samakuva, a former UNITA president who stepped in as interim leader after Costa Junior's ousting in October, said at the start of the party congress that it would cover issues "concerning efforts to bring about a change in political power" next year.
He called on party activists to "clearly identify our adversary" and ignore the ruling regime's political manoeuvres to undermine the unity of the opposition.
Costa Junior, 59, is seen as the main threat to President Lourenco, 67, who is expected to seek a second term.
Lourenco's Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) has ruled the oil-rich but impoverished southern African country since independence from Portugal in 1975.
In October Costa Junior was briefly named the leader of a new opposition coalition, known as the United Patriotic Front, but stepped down after three days following the court's ousting him as UNITA leader.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 27 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 27 April 2024
HEC reviews curricula for environmental sciences degree programme
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
23 hours ago -
Kite Flying: From cultural festival to deadly sport
23 hours ago -
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
4 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
5 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
5 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
6 days ago
-
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
6 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
6 days ago -
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
8 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
12 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
13 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
13 days ago