By Ebi Kesiena
The main opposition party in Angola, UNITA, has re-elected Adalberto Costa Júnior as its leader.
In October, the Constitutional Court annulled his 2019 election as party leader.
The decision of the court was announced on the 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.
Speaking after the announcement of his victory, Costa Júnior noted that it was time to build a new and united country.
“The time has come to build a new and better Angola, without unrealistic promises and megalomaniac projects, a working Angola where everyone has a place and to which everyone can contribute. The time has come to put an end to corruption, to theft, the time has come for democratic change,” he stated.
Former UNITA President, Isaias Samakuva, stepped in as interim leader after Junior’s ousting in October.
Costa Junior, 59, is seen as the main threat to President João Lourenço, 67, who is expected to seek a second term.