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CONSTITUTIONAL COURTREPUBLIC OF ANGOLA

COMPETITION · 30 October 2025

Academic Competition on the 50 Years of Constitutionalism

Photograph: Academic Competition on the 50 Years of Constitutionalism

Translated from Portuguese. The Portuguese version prevails. Ler em português

PRESS RELEASE

  1. Within the framework of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of National Independence and the 50 years of Angolan Constitutionalism, the Constitutional Court opened, in January 2025, the Concurso Académico sobre os 50 Anos de Constitucionalismo (Academic Competition on the 50 Years of Constitutionalism), an initiative that aims to stimulate scientific research in the field of Constitutional Law and to strengthen the relationship between academic legal knowledge and constitutional jurisdiction;

  2. The rules of the said competition, published on the institutional website of the Constitutional Court and in the Jornal de Angola, established that it was open to citizens aged between 20 and 25, enrolled in the Faculties of Law of universities based in the national territory, who had completed at least the third year of their course;

  3. By 30 May 2025, the competition jury had received 28 academic papers, in accordance with subparagraph (b) of point 2.3 of the rules;

  4. The papers received are from students of the following higher education institutions:

* José Eduardo dos Santos University;

* Katyavala Bwila University;

* Agostinho Neto University;

* 11 de Novembro University;

* Kimpa Vita University;

* Catholic University of Angola;

* Oscar Ribas University;

* Universidade Superior Politecnico Metropolitano;

* Institute of Social Sciences and International Relations;

* Kangojo Higher Polytechnic Institute;

* Cazenga Higher Polytechnic Institute;

* Catholic Higher Polytechnic Institute of Huambo;

* Jean Piaget Higher Polytechnic Institute of Benguela;

* Independent Higher Polytechnic Institute of Lubango;

* Cuito Higher Polytechnic Institute.

  1. The papers were examined by the jury, composed of:

* Carlos Burity da Silva (Coordinator), Justice of the Constitutional Court;

* Júlia Ferreira, retired Justice of the Constitutional Court;

* Diogo Agostinho, Professor at the Faculty of Law of the Catholic University of Angola;

* Waldemar Pascoal Chimbua, Professor at the Faculty of Law and International Relations of Lusíada University of Angola;

* Manuel Sabonete Camati, Professor at the Faculty of Law of Agostinho Neto University;

* Adlézio Agostinho, Director of the Office of Technical Advice and Case Law of the Constitutional Court;

* Hermínio Carlos Rodrigues, Adviser to the Constitutional Court.

  1. Having examined the papers received, the jury, meeting on 1 October 2025, decided unanimously to select the following six (6) finalists:

* Rui Jorge da Costa, of Agostinho Neto University, Luanda Province, with the topic: "A Participação do Amicus Curiae no Controlo Concentrado da Constitucionalidade - Instrumento de Reforço da Democratização da Jurisdição Constitucional Angolana: Proposta de Inclusão no Processo Constitucional" (The Participation of the Amicus Curiae in the Concentrated Review of Constitutionality – An Instrument for Strengthening the Democratisation of Angolan Constitutional Jurisdiction: A Proposal for Inclusion in Constitutional Procedure);

* Kleine do Carmo Santos Mendes, of the Catholic Higher Polytechnic Institute of Huambo, Huambo Province, with the topic: "Cláusulas Pétreas e Interpretação Evolutiva da Constituição no Ordenamento Jurídico Angolano: Há Espaço para Evolução sem Ruptura?" (Entrenched Clauses and Evolutive Interpretation of the Constitution in the Angolan Legal System: Is There Room for Evolution without Rupture?);

* Abinel Catarino José, of Agostinho Neto University, Luanda Province, with the topic: “A Execução das Decisões do Tribunal Constitucional como Garantia da Constitucionalidade” (The Enforcement of the Decisions of the Constitutional Court as a Guarantee of Constitutionality);

* Analides Silva de Andrade Pedro, of Agostinho Neto University, Luanda Province, with the topic: “Soberania Digital - Aclaração Dogmática. Análise Jurisprudencial e Proposta Legislativa” (Digital Sovereignty – Doctrinal Clarification. Case-Law Analysis and Legislative Proposal);

* Eusilio C.L. da Costa, of the Higher Institute of Social Sciences and International Relations, Luanda Province, with the topic: “Os Princípios do Mínimo Existencial e da Reserva do Possível à Luz da Constituição da República de Angola” (The Principles of the Existential Minimum and of the Reserve of the Possible in the Light of the Constitution of the Republic of Angola);

* António Fatima da Costa, of Agostinho Neto University, Luanda Province, with the topic: “Fundamentos Constitucionais da Aplicação do Direito ao Esquecimento em Angola” (Constitutional Foundations for the Application of the Right to Be Forgotten in Angola);

  1. The finalists will defend their papers in a public oral examination, held in person, on 21 November 2025, at the Palace of Justice in Luanda. On that occasion, the top three will be chosen;

  2. The award ceremony will take place on 16 December 2025.

Luanda, 30 October 2025.