Opposition Parties Welcome Angola's Proposed Constitution Review

Angolan opposition parties have expressed their satisfaction with the upcoming revision of the constitution, announced by President João Lourenço at the 2nd ordinary session of the cabinet council. According to article 233 of the Constitution - in force since February 5, 2010 - the decision to review lies with the president or to one third of the national assembly's sitting MPs. The national assembly has the power to review the constitution upon five years from it coming into force or after its latest review. Lourenço said that he intends to clarify the question of parliament's inspection of the acts of the president, among other matters. He also pointed out that the punctual review will cover the question of the voting process for Angolans living abroad, as well as the question of gradualism in municipal elections in Angola. This will be Angola's first revision of the constitution.