Angola judicial system faces strike and corruption scandal

Angola is facing significant judicial instability as labor disputes and corruption allegations impact the legal system. The Union of Court Officers of Angola (SOJA) has confirmed a strike scheduled for September 24. The union is protesting delays in the payment of remunerations and supplements, questioning the management capacity of the Cofre Geral de Justiça (CGJ). SOJA has called for the resignation of the CGJ Executive Commission if they cannot ensure timely payments, arguing that administrative adjustments should not indefinitely delay worker compensation.

Simultaneously, the Superior Council of the Judicial Magistracy (CSMJ) has suspended Emílio S. Ferreira Mesquita, the president of the Luanda District Court, pending disciplinary proceedings. Mesquita has been linked to allegations of corruption, including claims of involvement in schemes to unlock millions of euros and kwanzas of questionable origin, as well as influence peddling and fictitious contracts. Magistrate António Moisés has been appointed to serve as interim president of the court.