The party's Permanent Committee urged increased voter registration efforts in rural and disadvantaged areas ahead of the general election.
The UNITA party has reaffirmed its commitment to consolidating the Patriotic Front, aiming for political change in the 2027 general elections. This stance was detailed in a final communiqué following the Permanent Committee's fourth Ordinary Meeting in Uíge. The party highlighted its 2022 electoral success, where it secured 90 parliamentary seats, and encouraged its leader, Adalberto Costa Júnior, to continue the strategy that led to this outcome.
The committee expressed deep concern over alleged political crimes and restrictions on fundamental freedoms, calling for a pluralistic, democratic, and inclusive political environment. It specifically appealed to institutions responsible for updating electoral registers and issuing identity documents in rural and underserved areas to boost the number of mobile registration brigades. Examples of difficulties were cited in Chitado municipality in Cunene province and Golungo Alto in Cuanza Norte province.
UNITA's strategy involves leveraging past experiences, despite current divergences with former partners like the Democratic Bloc and PRA-JA. The party's resolutions aim to unite Angolans under a broad patriotic front to achieve political alternation in 2027. The committee's communiqué emphasized the determination to foster this unity for the upcoming elections.
Why it mattersThe UNITA party's call for increased voter registration and a more inclusive political environment directly impacts farmers and rural communities by aiming to ensure their participation in the electoral process.
Read in ASJ →Oscar da Mata advocates for less state intervention and more economic freedom to foster wealth creation and development.
Economist Oscar da Mata is calling for a fundamental redesign of Angola's economic model, emphasizing the urgent need for the state to reduce its intervention. He argues that the current market economy, characterized by excessive state involvement, has hindered national development and prevented its benefits from reaching the general population.
Da Mata, a financial manager and former founder of Standard Bank Angola, made these remarks during the recent launch of his book, "Economic Myths of Angola — Essay on Freedom and Wealth Creation," in Lisbon. He contends that greater economic freedom and diminished state interference are crucial for transforming the country's potential resources into tangible wealth.
The book challenges 18 common economic assumptions, advocating for a liberal model where the state acts as a regulator rather than a direct participant in the economy. Da Mata asserts that the state's role as the primary driver of the economy has yielded disastrous results, and alternative roles like regulation and supervision should be explored.
Why it mattersAngolan citizens are affected by the current economic model because its excessive state intervention has prevented development and the equitable distribution of its benefits.
Read in ASJ →The accord will significantly ease travel for residents of both regions, fostering tourism, academic exchange, and trade.
Angola and Macau have signed a mutual visa exemption agreement that will allow residents of both regions to enter each other's territory for up to 30 days without a visa. The agreement, signed by Macau's Secretary for Administration and Justice, Wong Sio Chak, and Angola's Consul in Macau, Eduardo Velasco Galiano, aims to simplify travel procedures.
Officials stated the agreement will facilitate tourism, academic exchanges, and commercial trade, promoting greater interaction between populations and deepening civilizational and cultural ties. Macau has extended similar visa-free access to Portugal, Brazil, and Cape Verde, making Angola the fourth Portuguese-speaking country to benefit from this regime.
The accord is expected to remove bureaucratic barriers and eliminate uncertainty in commercial relations, paving the way for increased prosperity and economic exchange. The exact date of the agreement's entry into force will be announced later.
Why it mattersAngolan and Macau residents will benefit from easier travel for tourism, academic pursuits, and trade, fostering economic and cultural connections.
Read in ASJ →The National Bank of Angola reports a surplus in the current account, exceeding two billion dollars, driven by increased trade in goods.
Angola's import of goods and services is secured for the upcoming six months, according to information from the National Bank of Angola (BNA). This assurance stems from a surplus in the current account, which surpassed two billion dollars, equivalent to 4.4% of the Gross Domestic Product. This figure represents a significant 40.1% expansion compared to the previous quarter.
The positive performance of the current account is primarily attributed to a 31.7% increase in the surplus of the goods account. This offset a rise in deficits within the services and primary income accounts, which saw increases of 8.7% and 67.7% respectively. However, the capital and financial account registered a deficit of two point five billion dollars during the same period.
This capital and financial account deficit, which doubled from one point two billion dollars in the prior quarter, was mainly due to medium and long-term capital movements, specifically public external debt. While foreign direct investment showed a positive balance, other capital flows, including commercial credits and deposits with non-residents, also influenced the outcome. The international investment position worsened by one hundred seventy-four point five million dollars due to increased liabilities with non-residents.
Why it mattersInvestors are affected by the secured imports and the current account surplus, which indicates economic stability and potential for trade.
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