Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LUANDA651
2007-06-28 08:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Luanda
Cable title:  

ANGOLA: THE ROOSTER FLIES AGAIN AS UNITA ANNOUNCES

Tags:  PGOV KDEM PHUM AO 
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VZCZCXRO8026
RR RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHLU #0651 1790818
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 280818Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY LUANDA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4117
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUANDA 000651 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/27/2017
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM AO
SUBJECT: ANGOLA: THE ROOSTER FLIES AGAIN AS UNITA ANNOUNCES
CANDIDATES FOR PARTY PRESIDENT

Classified By: Ambassador Cynthia Efird for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L LUANDA 000651

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/27/2017
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM AO
SUBJECT: ANGOLA: THE ROOSTER FLIES AGAIN AS UNITA ANNOUNCES
CANDIDATES FOR PARTY PRESIDENT

Classified By: Ambassador Cynthia Efird for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: On June 26th 2007, in front of a boisterous
crowd of supporters, UNITA formally opened the campaign for
party president and announced Isaias Samakuva and Abel
Chivukuvuku as the two candidates. Though party insiders
call the campaign "too close to call," all players stress
that maintaining party unity and running a clean campaign are
priorities as UNITA works to rehabilitate its image in
advance of legislative elections. The campaign will conclude
on July 15 during UNITA's 10th Party Congress. End summary.


2. (U) Hundreds of flag-waving, horn-blowing, drum-beating
party members cheered on their favorite candidates as UNITA
formally opened the 19-day campaign for party president. The
two candidates, current party president Isaias Samakuva and
Member of Parliament Abel Chivukuvuku, were greeted by their
supporters with competing chants and rooster crows, a nod to
the black rooster, the party's symbol. Other party
presidential hopefuls Eduardo Chingunji, Pedro Gonzalves, and
Joao Chiuvica were ruled ineligible by the electoral
commission for not meeting either minimum age or other
candidacy requirements.


3. (U) Transparency and the democratic process were the day's
catchphrases. Adalberto da Costa, UNITA Press Spokesman and
head of the Congressional Organizing Committee, announced
that the party will show Angolans by running a good, clean
campaign that UNITA is the party to run the country in a
transparent and democratic manner. The candidates were
announced by Justino Pinto de Andrade, an academic and MPLA
party member, who UNITA invited to head its Electoral
Commission as an impartial observer. In a surprise move, da
Costa announced that Samakuva would suspend his duties as
party president for the duration of the campaign to avoid the
appearance of conflict of interest or other ethical
violations. Party vice-president Ernesto Mulato will take
over for Samakuva.


4. (U) UNITA'S campaign organizers emphasized their efforts
to give the candidates a level playing field. To underscore
the transparency theme, names were drawn out of a clear glass
bowl to determine the candidate's order on the ballot;
Chivukuvuku's name and picture will appear first. Lengthy
biographies were read for each candidate, and campaign
organizers stressed that that each candidate would be
provided equal time in debates and official meetings with
party members and delegates. The party provided $20,000 USD
in campaign financing and candidates are not allowed to
accept campaign contributions, though they are allowed to
expend personal funds. They were encouraged to make their
own campaign materials, but must use party colors and are
prohibited from using images that invoke their current
positions. Candidates were cautioned that violence or
defamation, by libel or slander, will not be tolerated, as
"we are all brothers of the same family."


5. (C) On June 18, Adalberto da Costa privately told P/E
Chief that both Samakuva and Chivukuvuku have pledged to put
party unity above personal ambitions in their run for the
UNITA presidency. Chivukuvuku confirmed this to us earlier
in June, adding that the 2003 Congress was so divisive that
it hurt the party,s stature and both candidates know that
the party needs to come out of the Congress looking unified
and strong if it is to have any chance to increase its
mandate in Parliament. That said, Chivukuvuku was also very
confident that he would come out the winner in the election,
ticking off his support base by province and even
municipality.


6. (C) Comment: The campaign and Congress are clearly seen by
party leaders as the best opportunity to reinvigorate UNITA's
image in advance of legislative elections generally expected
in 2008. The fact that both candidates have pledged to close
ranks behind the winner is a major change and is a tacit
acknowledgement of the damage the Party suffered in the
fall-out of its 2003 party congress. Though the race is
currently too close to call, party insiders report that winds
are blowing in favor of the charismatic and cosmopolitan
Chivukuvuku. The overarching need for party unity and
Samakuva's resonance in rural areas may, however, be his
trump card for victory. End comment.
EFIRD