Translated from Portuguese. The Portuguese version prevails. Ler em português
On 17 June 2026, the Constitutional Court will mark the eighteenth anniversary of its institutionalisation, which took place in 2008, a milestone that represented a significant step in the consolidation of the democratic State based on the rule of law. This is not a mere sum of years, but rather the building of a legacy, a history and a trajectory.
To celebrate the anniversary, the Constitutional Court has scheduled a set of initiatives of an academic, scientific and institutional nature, with the aim of marking the date with due dignity, strengthening the ties of institutional cooperation between the organs of sovereignty and the other actors in the justice system, and promoting reflection on the current challenges of constitutional justice.
As part of the celebrations, another edition of the “Conversas sobre o Constitucionalismo Angolano” (Conversations on Angolan Constitutionalism) forum is scheduled for 11 June 2026 in the Gallery of Angolan Constitutionalism, with the distinguished jurist, academic and constitutionalist Raul Araújo as guest.
This forum provides a platform for sharing knowledge and experience between the key figures and forerunners of Angolan constitutionalism and the new generations, promoting understanding of the country's legal, political and constitutional journey. The initiative also aims to reaffirm the role of the Constitutional Court as guardian of the Constitution of the Republic of Angola and defender of the values of the democratic State based on the rule of law.
During the meeting, Raul Araújo, a former Justice of the Constitutional Court, will share his academic and professional experience, as well as his participation in the main moments that marked the evolution of Angolan constitutionalism over the last fifty years, providing participants with a theoretical and practical insight into the building of the country's constitutional order.
The “Conversas sobre o Constitucionalismo Angolano” aim to bring the Constitutional Court closer to society and are based on promoting constitutional culture, by means of a historical-analytical methodology, and on disseminating the principles enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Angola, on the understanding that knowledge of the Fundamental Law is an important instrument of citizenship.
The festivities will culminate in the Formal Ceremony marking the 18 Years of the Constitutional Court, to be held on 17 June, the date of its institutionalisation, which will be attended by distinguished figures from the organs of sovereignty, the justice system, the academic and diplomatic communities and civil society. On that occasion, the President of the Constitutional Court, Justice Laurinda Prazeres, will deliver an address on the anniversary, in which she will reflect on the historical journey and the legacy of its institutionalisation built over its eighteen years of existence, the challenges faced and the Constitutional Court's main contributions to strengthening constitutional justice in Angola, as well as to institutional, political and social stability.
The programme also includes the public presentation of the 4th edition of the academic journal "A GUARDIÃ", a publication that brings together academic articles by renowned national and foreign jurists and academics, including André Sango, António Pedro Quiriri, Armindo Jelembi, Ettori Lombardi, Hermínio Rodrigues, Joaquina do Nascimento, Júlia Ferreira, Margareth Nangacovie, Maria Aglaé Vilardo, Maria Conceicão Sango, Maria Imculada Melo, Maria de Fátima Silva, Pedro Morais, Rosa Guerra and Rui da Costa.
In this edition, special mention should be made of the article by Rui da Costa, a Law student and winner of the Concurso Académico 50 Anos do Constitucionalismo Angolano (Academic Competition on 50 Years of Angolan Constitutionalism), promoted by the Constitutional Court, which demonstrates the Institution's commitment to encouraging scientific research and to valuing young academics.
Other activities of an institutional, academic and cultural nature also form part of the commemorative programme, lending special dignity to the celebrations of the Constitutional Court's eighteen years of existence and reaffirming its commitment to promoting citizenship, constitutional culture and the defence of the Constitution.
Institutionalised in 2008, the Constitutional Court is the highest body of constitutional jurisdiction in Angola. As guardian of the Constitution of the Republic, its powers include, among others, prior review, subsequent review and review of unconstitutionality by omission, the hearing of ordinary and extraordinary appeals on grounds of unconstitutionality, and the consideration of matters relating to candidacies for elective political office, political parties and coalitions of parties, thereby contributing to guaranteeing constitutional legality and to the stability of the Angolan democratic system.
Luanda, 8 June 2026.