Luanda: The president of the ruling MPLA, Joo Louren§o, announced on Saturday in Luanda, his intention to run for re-election as president of the party during a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee. The meeting expressed unconditional support for the decision.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Joo Louren§o also announced the appointment of Joo de Almeida Martins as his campaign manager. This information was shared with the press by Esteves Hil¡rio, the MPLA Political Bureau's Secretary for Information and Propaganda, at the conclusion of the III Ordinary Meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee chaired by the party leader, Joo Louren§o.
Martins stated that during the meeting, the body expressed its support for the party president's intention to stand for office. The MPLA has convened its 9th Ordinary Congress for 9 and 10 December this year, with the expected participation of 3,000 delegates from across the country and the diaspora. Multiple candidacies are anticipated for the leadership of the political formation.
The Ordinary Congress is the party's highest body, responsible for defining the MPLA's general political line, electing the party president and other governing bodies, and approving statutory and programmatic changes. The congress forms part of the party's preparations for the new political and electoral cycle, which will culminate in the 2027 general elections to elect the next president of the Republic.
During the meeting, the Political Bureau approved a resolution to terminate Lºcio Gon§alves' mandate as the party's first provincial secretary in Cuando, and to approve Carla Domingos Cativa's candidacy for the same position. The Political Bureau approved the termination of Narciso Benedito's term as first provincial secretary of the party in Cuanza Sul, consequently approving the candidacy of Eug©nio C©sar Laborinho for the leadership of the party in that province.
The Political Bureau also approved the convening of extraordinary party conferences in Cuanza Sul and Cuando Cubango provinces.
