Languages: Portuguese is the official language and is the language of government,
business and the media. Many African languages are spoken, corresponding to the ethnic
groups listed above.
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Capital: Lunada
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Electoral authority: None
Freedom House 2005 rating: Political Rights 6, Civil Liberties 5
Political history
The Portuguese were established at Luanda in 1599, and established a colony based on
the slave trade. When this was abolished the colony languished, and it was not until
1917 that a regular colonial administration was established. During the Salazar
dictatorship in Portugal, European settlement in Angola was encouraged, and a small class
of white plantation-owners ruled over the African population in feudal style.
Armed resistance to Portuguese rule began
in 1961, when it became clear that they were not going to follow the other
colonial powers and depart voluntarily. But the nationalist forces were divided between the
Marxist MPLA and the anti-Communist UNITA and FNLA groups, and made little headway. The April
1974 revolution in Portugal ended the colonial war, and Angola became independent in
November 1975.
Civil war immediately broke out between the MPLA and UNITA, and by 1976 the MPLA
had control of most of the country, with the assistance of Cuban troops. A one-party
semi-Communist regime was established, headed first by Agostinho Neto and after his
death in 1979 by José Eduardo dos Santos. UNITA, led by Jonas Savimbi and assisted by
South Africa, continued resistance in the south.
The simultaneous end of the cold war and of the apartheid regime in South
Africa made a resolution possible. The MPLA abandoned Communism and in 1992
the constitution was amended to allow democratic politics. In September 1992 free
presidential elections were held, in which dos Santos defeated Savimbi. But Savimbi
refused to accept the result and the civil war continued. The elections scheduled for
1997 were cancelled.
Following Savimbi's death in March 2002 the civil war came to an
end. The legislature elected in 1992 is still functioning, and UNITA members have now taken
their seats. Despite repeated promises, however, no fresh elections have been held. Human Rights Watch's
2002
Report on Angola noted that while many human rights problems persist, "freedom of
expression improved" and that "The space for free public debate on human rights and
reconciliation issues expanded with the end of the war."
The ruling MPLA (Popular Liberation Movement of
Angola) has now abandoned Marxism and claims to
be a democratic socialist party. The main opposition party is still
UNITA (the National Union for the Total Independence
of Angola), but since Savimbi's death it is not clear what the party now stands for.
The FNLA (National Front for the Liberation of
Angola) is also still in existence. Elections are now promised for 2007.
Armed resistance to Portuguese rule began in 1961, when it became clear that they were not going to follow the other colonial powers and depart voluntarily. But the nationalist forces were divided between the Marxist MPLA and the anti-Communist UNITA and FNLA groups, and made little headway. The April 1974 revolution in Portugal ended the colonial war, and Angola became independent in November 1975.
Civil war immediately broke out between the MPLA and UNITA, and by 1976 the MPLA had control of most of the country, with the assistance of Cuban troops. A one-party semi-Communist regime was established, headed first by Agostinho Neto and after his death in 1979 by José Eduardo dos Santos. UNITA, led by Jonas Savimbi and assisted by South Africa, continued resistance in the south.
The simultaneous end of the cold war and of the apartheid regime in South Africa made a resolution possible. The MPLA abandoned Communism and in 1992 the constitution was amended to allow democratic politics. In September 1992 free presidential elections were held, in which dos Santos defeated Savimbi. But Savimbi refused to accept the result and the civil war continued. The elections scheduled for 1997 were cancelled.
Following Savimbi's death in March 2002 the civil war came to an end. The legislature elected in 1992 is still functioning, and UNITA members have now taken their seats. Despite repeated promises, however, no fresh elections have been held. Human Rights Watch's 2002 Report on Angola noted that while many human rights problems persist, "freedom of expression improved" and that "The space for free public debate on human rights and reconciliation issues expanded with the end of the war."
The ruling MPLA (Popular Liberation Movement of Angola) has now abandoned Marxism and claims to be a democratic socialist party. The main opposition party is still UNITA (the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola), but since Savimbi's death it is not clear what the party now stands for. The FNLA (National Front for the Liberation of Angola) is also still in existence. Elections are now promised for 2007.