Luanda — UNITA on Monday vowed to appeal to the Constitutional Court (TC) to challenge the resolution that approved the internal bodies of the National Assembly.

At a press conference, UNITA´s parliamentary whip, Liberty Chiyaka, said the measure is due to an "alleged violation of parliamentary rules".

He said the two parties, namely the parliamentary leaderships of UNITA and MPLA, had a consultation meeting.

According to the politician, after consultation, the parliamentary leaderships of UNITA and MPLA had approved the composition of the internal bodies of the Parliament for the 5th Legislature (2022-2027).

Liberty Chiyaka explained that in respect for the principle of proportionality and parliamenatry custom since the establishment of the rule of law and democracy, they agreed that the Speaker of the Parliament as well as the first and third Vice-Speakers would be indicated by the MPLA and the second and fourth Vice-Speakers by UNITA.

In accordance with the Parliament rule, the Vice-Speakers and the Secretaries of Parliamentary Meetings are elected by the plenary on proposal from the political parties or coalitions of political parties observing the Principle of Proportional Representation.

In the inaugural meeting, the National Assembly approved the Resolution that elected the MPs Américo Cuononoca as the first Vice-Speaker and Raúl Lima as the second Vice-Speaker, both from the MPLA.

Manuel Lopes Moniz Dembo was elected as the first Secretary of Parliament Meetings and Rosa da Cunha Cardoso Albino was appointed as the fourth Secretary, both from the MPLA.