Luanda - Angola celebrates 14 years since its constitution was promulgated by the late President of the Republic José Eduardo dos Santos, thus founding the Third Republic.
The promulgation of the "Document", with its 244 articles, was the culmination of an extensive work carried out by a commission made up of 60 deputies and 19 specialists appointed by the parties then represented in the National Assembly.
The Supreme and Fundamental Law of the Republic of Angola states in its preamble that it serves to build a society based on equal opportunities, commitment, fraternity and unity in diversity.
It is also aimed at building a progressive society that respects life, equality, diversity and the dignity of people.
It reaffirms its commitment to the fundamental values and principles of Independence, Sovereignty and Unity of the Democratic State of Law, of pluralism of expression and political organization, separation and balance of powers of the Organs of Sovereignty, the market economic system and of the respect and guarantee of the fundamental rights and freedoms of the human being, which constitute the core of the constitution.
According to the "the Constitution”, Angola has three sovereign bodies: the President of the Republic, the National Assembly and the Courts. The first and the second are elected by universal, direct, secret and periodic elections.
It states that the President of the Republic is the Head of State, the holder of Executive power and the Commander-in-Chief of the Angolan Armed Forces assisted by a Vice-President of the Republic, who is also elected, and by Ministers of State, Ministers and Secretaries of State.
The current Constitution represents the culmination of the constitutional transition process that began in 1991, with the approval by the People's Assembly of Law No. 12/91, which enshrined multiparty democracy, guarantees for citizens' fundamental rights and freedoms and the market economic system amendments that were later deepened by Constitutional Revision Law No. 23/92.
To mark the occasion, the Constitutional Court is holding an integrated day of activities to celebrate the entry into force of the Constitution of the Republic of Angola on February 5 2010.VIC/MRA/AMP
