Luanda, May 13, 2026 (Lusa) — Higino Carneiro, a candidate for the MPLA leadership, who was summoned on Wednesday to the attorney general's office to be notified of the reopening of a case, acknowledges that there are political motivations behind the legal proceedings in which he is a defendant.

He arrived at 9:15 a.m. and left half an hour later, telling journalists that authorities called him regarding a previously closed case involving alleged vehicle fraud.

"We were called to take note of an accusation related to a case that was archived a long time ago (...) Someone decided that what the complainant withdrew should proceed," said the retired general, a former MP and governor of several provinces.

The case "was reopened by an owner who sold the vehicles, who in turn dropped the charge. But now we face a new reality," he said, acknowledging political motives.

"It can have no other meaning than the fact that I am now involved in this personal campaign to run for the party leadership," he said, urging those helping him collect signatures to continue working despite "promoted" obstacles across the country.

"Continue working because what we are doing is for the good of Angola and Angolans," he said.

The attorney general's office issued the summons on Tuesday, one day after the MPLA leader and President of Angola, João Lourenço, formalised his bid for re-election as party leader.

RCR/RYOL // AYLS

Lusa