Information on the Republic of Angola

Geografy

Angola extends for more than 1,609 km along the South Atlantic in southwest Africa. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Congo are to the north and east, Zambia is to the east, and Namibia is to the south. A plateau averaging 1,829 m above sea level rises abruptly from the coastal lowlands. Nearly all the land is desert or savanna, with hardwood forests in the northeast.

Society

Angola has an estimated 13.6 million inhabitants, with at least five million living in the country's capital * . The population consists of many different ethnic groups, the biggest being the Ovimbundu (37%), the Kumbundu (25%), and the Bakongo (13%). Portuguese is both the official and predominant language in Angola, but there are more than twenty African languages spoken throughout the country. About 40% of the Angolans speak Bantu languages as their first language, although younger urban generations and some sectors of the Angolan society are moving towards the exclusive use of Portuguese. The most widespread Bantu language is Umbundu, used by 26% of the population located mainly in the central southern region of Angola.

*United Nations estimated data from 2003

Political Situation

Angola has a semi-presidential system with the executive branch of the government being composed of the President, the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. Currently, political power is concentrated in the Presidency. The Council of Ministers, representing the legislative power, is composed of all government ministers and vice ministers . The Governors of the country`s 18 provinces are appointed by the president. The Constitutional Law of Angola establishes the broad outlines of government structure and delineates the rights and duties of citizens.

Following independence in 1975 an armed conflict engulfed the country, involving the independence movements, Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola (MPLA), led by Agostinho Neto (followed 1979 by José Eduardo dos Santos) , Frente Nacional de Libertação de Angola (FNLA), led by Holden Roberto,  and União para a Independência Total de Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas Savimbi. This conflict took on an international dimension through the direct and indirect participation of other countries and in the context of the Cold War. After several failed peace accords, the war ended, after almost 27 years, with the death of UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi in 2002. A new peace agreement between the Government and UNITA was signed on 4 April 2002 in Luena. In the course of this civil war, about 1.5 million people lost their lives and more than 4 million became refugees in their own country.

The 1992 Legislative and Presidential Elections

Angola 's first legislative and presidential elections took place in 1992, after MPLA and UNITA had signed the Bicesse Peace Agreement in 1991. In these elections the MPLA obtained an absolute majority (54%), while President dos Santos obtained 49,1% (UNITA 34% and UNITA leader Savimbi 40.1%). While being considered by international (UN) observers to have been "generally free and fair", Savimbi alleged fraud and war resumed almost immediately. After heavy fighting in the ensuing years a new peace deal –the Lusaka protocol - was signed in 1994. In the meantime, UNITA members elected at the 1992 elections took their seats in the National Assembly and UNITA ministers were appointed to the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation in 1997.

Until today the MPLA remains in power. UNITA is still part of the Government of National Unity, holding four ministerial posts. Other political parties, inside and outside of the National Assembly are numerous, but with limited influence.

Economy

Angola 's high growth rate is driven by its oil sector, with record oil prices and rising petroleum production. Oil production and its supporting activities contribute about 85% of GDP. Increased oil production supported growth averaging more than 15% per year from 2004 to 2007. A post-war reconstruction boom and resettlement of displaced persons has led to high rates of growth in construction and agriculture as well. Nevertheless, much of the country's infrastructure is still damaged from the 27-year-long civil war. Remnants of the conflict such as land mines are still widespread throughout the countryside, even though a durable peace was established in February 2002. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for most of the people in the country side.

Since the end of the civil-war in 2002, the performance of Angola's economy at the macroeconomic level has improved considerably, resulting in a more stable economy. This stability has been achieved by a strategy of macroeconomic adjustment, mostly through inflation reduction and exchange rate stabilization.

Angola became a member of OPEC in late 2006 and in late 2007 was assigned an oil production quota of 1.9 million barrels a day. Besides large oil deposits, Angola is rich of other natural resources: gold, diamonds, extensive forests, and Atlantic fisheries.