Angolan President João Lourenço on Wednesday swore in Domingos da Costa Mesquita as Vice-President of the Supreme Court, following an internal selection process within the judiciary.
The swearing in tool place at the Presidential Palace in Luanda, the day after his appointment by presidential decree.
The ceremony took place in the presence of the country’s Vice-President Esperança da Costa, as well as several senior state and judicial officials, including the presidents of higher courts.
The appointment follows an internal selection process held within the Supreme Court.
During the vote on September 8, Domingos da Costa Mesquita received 14 votes, compared to seven for Artur Domingos Gunza and three for Anabela Couto de Castro Valente.
The results were ratified on September 10 by the Superior Council of the Judiciary, prior to the magistrate’s appointment by the head of state on September 15.
Domingos da Costa Mesquita succeeds Justice Efigenia Mariquinha dos Santos Lima Clemente, who stepped down after reaching the mandatory retirement age for the judiciary.
Under the Angolan constitution, the President and Vice-President of the Supreme Court are appointed by the country’s president from among three candidates selected by the justices.
The Vice-President serves a single, non-renewable seven-year term.
The Supreme Court heads the Angolan ordinary court system, which also includes the Courts of Appeal and other courts within that jurisdiction. The courts’ functions include administering justice,
resolving disputes, and guaranteeing the protection of legally protected rights and interests.
Domingos da Costa Mesquita thus assumes his duties at the helm of the body leading Angola’s ordinary court system.
AC/Sf/fss/as/APA