The former president of Mozambique Joaquim Chissano, an invited observer at the elections in Angola, recalled today the post-election crisis in Kenya and asked the Angolan parties not to follow that example and to accept the results, after justice has validated them.

"This morning, Joaquim Chissano was received by the president of the National Electoral Commission (CNE) of Angola and a "comparison of what happened in other countries" was made.

"Two weeks ago, the atmosphere was calm when I got there, but the outcome of the elections was not so pretty" and "ended with the electoral commission divided," explained Joaquim Chissano, in a reference to the clashes in the streets between supporters of the Kenyan vice president, William Rutto, and the opposition Raila Odinga, who has already announced legal appeals against the results.

In view of what has happened, Chissano does not want to see such a scenario in Angola and calls on the Angolan parties to keep their own promises to "maintain Angolan unity, do everything for Angola, so that there is peace, and progress.

For now, "the atmosphere is calm, but just in case some voters take some actions that may counteract this calmness," he warned.
"We should trust the electoral bodies, go vote according to the law. If there are those who lose, they should accept it even if they don't agree," and then "they can appeal to the courts," he explained.

"But when justice is done by the courts you have to accept it," recommended the former leader of the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), which, like the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) in Angola, has ruled Maputo since independence.

Angola will vote on August 24 to choose a new President of the Republic and new representatives in the National Assembly. (Lusa)