The
longtime President José Eduardo dos Santos (JES) will become President Emeritus
after a proposal of his party, the MPLA. In power since 1979, one might
consider this honor a well-deserved title. Regrettably this can never be argued
by those who value participatory democracy or advocate a just, equitable
society and in which the state favors the well-being of its citizens.
According to a bill to be voted next week at
the National Assembly, it is anticipated that a former president (Eduardo dos
santos will be shortly a former President) have protocol treatment, immunities
and a special regime of protection and security.
The former President shall enjoy a "proper
forum for criminal purposes or civil liability, for acts unconnected with the
exercise of his functions, before the Supreme Court, upon expiry of the
provisions of the law."
It is also proposed that JES or another former
head of state receive a lifetime pension corresponding to 90% of the salary of
his last year in office.
His wife will also be entitled to certain
monetary privileges (70% of the salary of the Head of State or his pension) and
the rest of the family benefits related to housing, vehicles, medical care,
travelling, etc.
All this and a few more situations are foreseen
in this bill proposed by the JES’ party. It is an obscenety the money already accumulated
by Santos family over the years. Really, JES, without any embarrassment, is
trying to ensure he will have any kind of problem after leaving presidency.
The Santos’ family is getting increasingly
richer and the vast majority of the Angolan population is increasingly
depleted, enjoying miserable state services, or simply having no chance to benefit
from them.
The flattery of its maximum leader prevails in
Angola,yet, in relation to this title of President emeritus, some critical
voices are already heard, even within the MPLA itself; an example is the MPLA
MP Irene Neto, daughter of Agostinho Neto (1st President of Angola).
The elections are scheduled for August 23. JES
seeks to reinforce its legacy, but the set of injustices that we have verified
over the years, makes opinions be increasingly discordant to the power of the
MPLA and democratic alternatives are a more achievable and credible reality.
João Dias - Senior Consultant, Professor of
International Relations
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