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Angola Index
The Angolan Constitution provides a framework for both
international and national security policies. Article 16
establishes the country's official policy of military
nonalignment
and prohibits the construction of foreign military bases
on Angolan
territory. Reflecting its concern for territorial unity
and the
status of Cabinda Province as an integral part of the
national
homeland, Article 4 also provides that "any attempt to
separate or
dismember" any territory will be "forcefully combated."
The
president, under Article 6, is designated commander in
chief of the
armed forces and in Article 53 is also given extraordinary
powers
to declare a state of emergency or a state of siege, to
declare
war, and to make peace.
The government's organization for security and defense
reflected both ideological and national security
considerations in
its interlocking network of party, government, and
military
officials. The Council of the Revolution, which performed
both
executive and legislative functions before 1980, included
the
minister of defense, the chief of the general staff, and
regional
military commanders. In the first national People's
Assembly
(national legislature), which in 1980 replaced the Council
of the
Revolution as the supreme organ of state, defense and
security
personnel constituted 10 percent of the membership
(see Structure of Government
, ch. 4).
Since the early days of the liberation struggle, the
MPLA had
recognized the need for firm political direction of FAPLA.
Political control was established and maintained by two
complementary means: political indoctrination and
institutional
penetration and subordination. Political education was an
integral
part of FAPLA's military training, and political
commissars were
attached to guerrilla units to ensure compliance with
party
directives.
MPLA politicization and controls were formalized and
expanded
after the transformation of FAPLA into a conventional army
during
1975 and 1976. Many of the independence leaders continued
to hold
concurrent positions in the party, government, and
military
establishment. At the regional level, the overlaying of
military
and political leadership was also common, as many of the
provincial
commissars were both MPLA Central Committee members and
FAPLA
lieutenant colonels. Within the armed forces, political
commissars
in each unit reported not to the military chain of command
but to
the political leadership of the region or province.
Extensive politicization of the military by
institutional means
did not preclude the possibility of military intervention
in
politics. In 1977 Nito Alves led an abortive coup in which
several
MPLA and FAPLA leaders were killed. In the aftermath,
Alves's
supporters were executed or purged, and the top military
and
political posts in the armed forces were assigned to
loyalists:
David António Moises was appointed FAPLA chief of the
general
staff, and Julião Mateus Paulo (nom de guerre Dino
Matross) became
FAPLA national political commissar.
The interpenetration of the MPLA and FAPLA was
maintained
throughout both organizations' hierarchies. In 1983, six
years
after the MPLA had designated itself a "workers' party"
(Partido de
Trabalho; henceforth the party was known as the MPLA-PT),
a series
of party committee seminars for the political organs of
the defense
and security forces was inaugurated by Paulo, then Central
Committee secretary for defense and security. The purpose
of these
seminars was to review the implementation of party
directives and
structures within the armed forces. In 1985 seminar
members
recommended that the party's provincial departments of
defense and
security implement the 1984 directive to award membership
to armed
forces veterans and disabled soldiers and that the local
party and
the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola Youth
Movement
(Juventude do Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola --
JMPLA)
participate more actively in defense and security. For its
part,
FAPLA had a political directorate that maintained party
liaison and
supervision.
In the 1980s, the need for total mobilization and
coordination
of the nation's resources to combat the escalating UNITA
insurgency
and South African intervention led to reorganizations of
both the
central and the provincial governments. President José
Eduardo dos
Santos created the Defense and Security Council under his
chairmanship in April 1984 to plan and coordinate national
security
policy. Originally, the council included the ministers of
defense,
state security, and interior; the FAPLA chief of the
general staff;
and the party Central Committee secretary for ideology,
information, and culture as an ex officio member. In May
1986, the
Defense and Security Council expanded to include the
ministers of
state for inspection and control, for the productive
sphere, and
for economic and social spheres, posts that had been
created in a
February 1986 government reorganization. In effect, the
Defense and
Security Council became the standing body of the Council
of
Ministers when the latter was not in session. The Defense
and
Security Council met in two sessions: a weekly meeting on
defense
and security matters, and a biweekly meeting on economic
issues.
In July 1983, the MPLA-PT Political Bureau decided to
form
regional military councils as an "exceptional and
temporary
measure" to coordinate political, military, economic, and
social
leadership in areas "affected by armed acts of aggression,
vandalism and banditry." The councils reported directly to
the
president as FAPLA commander in chief, who was empowered
to
determine which areas warranted such councils and to
appoint
council members. The councils were authorized to
requisition and
restrict the movement of people and goods, and their newly
created
military tribunals tried crimes "against state security,
economic
sabotage, speculation and disobedience of directives from
the
regional military councils, as well as those who may
damage or
endanger the interests of collective defense and security"
(see Criminal Justice System
, this ch.). Eleven of Angola's
eighteen
provinces were immediately made subject to regional
military
councils, whose chairmen were FAPLA colonels.
Before 1988 FAPLA's areas of operations were divided
into ten
military regions
(see
fig. 13). In early 1988, however,
calling
this structure inadequate, the Ministry of Defense
announced the
formation of northern, eastern, southern, and central
fronts. The
northern front encompassed Zaire, Uíge, Malanje, Cuanza
Norte, and
Bengo provinces. The eastern front covered Lunda Norte,
Lunda Sul,
and Moxico provinces. No official information on the other
fronts
was available in late 1988, but presumably the southern
front
included Cuando Cubango, Huíla, and Namibe provinces, and
the
central front may have comprised Bié, Huambo, Benguela,
and Cuanza
Sul provinces. There was no information on the status of
Cabinda
and Luanda provinces, but perhaps they remained separate
regions
because of their strategic importance and small size.
Because of
the uncertain boundaries of these fronts, most news
accounts
referred to the military regions when describing FAPLA's
areas of
operation.
Data as of February 1989
Government recruits learning the mechanics of an AK-47
assault rifle
Courtesy United Nations (J.P. Laffont)
Constitutional and Political Context
The Angolan Constitution provides a framework for both
international and national security policies. Article 16
establishes the country's official policy of military
nonalignment
and prohibits the construction of foreign military bases
on Angolan
territory. Reflecting its concern for territorial unity
and the
status of Cabinda Province as an integral part of the
national
homeland, Article 4 also provides that "any attempt to
separate or
dismember" any territory will be "forcefully combated."
The
president, under Article 6, is designated commander in
chief of the
armed forces and in Article 53 is also given extraordinary
powers
to declare a state of emergency or a state of siege, to
declare
war, and to make peace.
The government's organization for security and defense
reflected both ideological and national security
considerations in
its interlocking network of party, government, and
military
officials. The Council of the Revolution, which performed
both
executive and legislative functions before 1980, included
the
minister of defense, the chief of the general staff, and
regional
military commanders. In the first national People's
Assembly
(national legislature), which in 1980 replaced the Council
of the
Revolution as the supreme organ of state, defense and
security
personnel constituted 10 percent of the membership
(see Structure of Government
, ch. 4).
Since the early days of the liberation struggle, the
MPLA had
recognized the need for firm political direction of FAPLA.
Political control was established and maintained by two
complementary means: political indoctrination and
institutional
penetration and subordination. Political education was an
integral
part of FAPLA's military training, and political
commissars were
attached to guerrilla units to ensure compliance with
party
directives.
MPLA politicization and controls were formalized and
expanded
after the transformation of FAPLA into a conventional army
during
1975 and 1976. Many of the independence leaders continued
to hold
concurrent positions in the party, government, and
military
establishment. At the regional level, the overlaying of
military
and political leadership was also common, as many of the
provincial
commissars were both MPLA Central Committee members and
FAPLA
lieutenant colonels. Within the armed forces, political
commissars
in each unit reported not to the military chain of command
but to
the political leadership of the region or province.
Extensive politicization of the military by
institutional means
did not preclude the possibility of military intervention
in
politics. In 1977 Nito Alves led an abortive coup in which
several
MPLA and FAPLA leaders were killed. In the aftermath,
Alves's
supporters were executed or purged, and the top military
and
political posts in the armed forces were assigned to
loyalists:
David António Moises was appointed FAPLA chief of the
general
staff, and Julião Mateus Paulo (nom de guerre Dino
Matross) became
FAPLA national political commissar.
The interpenetration of the MPLA and FAPLA was
maintained
throughout both organizations' hierarchies. In 1983, six
years
after the MPLA had designated itself a "workers' party"
(Partido de
Trabalho; henceforth the party was known as the MPLA-PT),
a series
of party committee seminars for the political organs of
the defense
and security forces was inaugurated by Paulo, then Central
Committee secretary for defense and security. The purpose
of these
seminars was to review the implementation of party
directives and
structures within the armed forces. In 1985 seminar
members
recommended that the party's provincial departments of
defense and
security implement the 1984 directive to award membership
to armed
forces veterans and disabled soldiers and that the local
party and
the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola Youth
Movement
(Juventude do Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola --
JMPLA)
participate more actively in defense and security. For its
part,
FAPLA had a political directorate that maintained party
liaison and
supervision.
In the 1980s, the need for total mobilization and
coordination
of the nation's resources to combat the escalating UNITA
insurgency
and South African intervention led to reorganizations of
both the
central and the provincial governments. President José
Eduardo dos
Santos created the Defense and Security Council under his
chairmanship in April 1984 to plan and coordinate national
security
policy. Originally, the council included the ministers of
defense,
state security, and interior; the FAPLA chief of the
general staff;
and the party Central Committee secretary for ideology,
information, and culture as an ex officio member. In May
1986, the
Defense and Security Council expanded to include the
ministers of
state for inspection and control, for the productive
sphere, and
for economic and social spheres, posts that had been
created in a
February 1986 government reorganization. In effect, the
Defense and
Security Council became the standing body of the Council
of
Ministers when the latter was not in session. The Defense
and
Security Council met in two sessions: a weekly meeting on
defense
and security matters, and a biweekly meeting on economic
issues.
In July 1983, the MPLA-PT Political Bureau decided to
form
regional military councils as an "exceptional and
temporary
measure" to coordinate political, military, economic, and
social
leadership in areas "affected by armed acts of aggression,
vandalism and banditry." The councils reported directly to
the
president as FAPLA commander in chief, who was empowered
to
determine which areas warranted such councils and to
appoint
council members. The councils were authorized to
requisition and
restrict the movement of people and goods, and their newly
created
military tribunals tried crimes "against state security,
economic
sabotage, speculation and disobedience of directives from
the
regional military councils, as well as those who may
damage or
endanger the interests of collective defense and security"
(see Criminal Justice System
, this ch.). Eleven of Angola's
eighteen
provinces were immediately made subject to regional
military
councils, whose chairmen were FAPLA colonels.
Before 1988 FAPLA's areas of operations were divided
into ten
military regions
(see
fig. 13). In early 1988, however,
calling
this structure inadequate, the Ministry of Defense
announced the
formation of northern, eastern, southern, and central
fronts. The
northern front encompassed Zaire, Uíge, Malanje, Cuanza
Norte, and
Bengo provinces. The eastern front covered Lunda Norte,
Lunda Sul,
and Moxico provinces. No official information on the other
fronts
was available in late 1988, but presumably the southern
front
included Cuando Cubango, Huíla, and Namibe provinces, and
the
central front may have comprised Bié, Huambo, Benguela,
and Cuanza
Sul provinces. There was no information on the status of
Cabinda
and Luanda provinces, but perhaps they remained separate
regions
because of their strategic importance and small size.
Because of
the uncertain boundaries of these fronts, most news
accounts
referred to the military regions when describing FAPLA's
areas of
operation.
Data as of February 1989
- Angola-Roots of Discontent
- Angola-Mestiços
- Angola-LABOR FORCE
- Angola-Food Crops and Livestock
- Angola-War and the Military in National Perspective
- Angola-Interest Groups
- Angola-NATIONAL SECURITY
- Angola-Foreign Trade
- Angola-Relations with Other African States
- Angola-Policies Affecting Rural Society
- Angola-The National Front for the Liberation of Angola
- Angola-Conditions after Independence
- Angola-FOREIGN TRADE AND ASSISTANCE
- Angola-Troop Strength, Recruitment, and Conscription
- Angola-Beginning of Revolution
- Angola-Military Campaigns
- Angola-BACKGROUND
- Angola-Mbundu Social Structure
- Angola-Conditions Before Independence EDUCATION
- Angola-The Development of FAPLA
- Angola-INDEPENDENCE AND THE RISE OF THE MPLA GOVERNMENT
- Angola-Ethnolinguistic Categories
- Angola-Portuguese Economic Interests and Resistance to Angolan Independence
- Angola-EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES
- Angola-Postindependence Exploration and Production
- Angola-Internal Security Forces and Organization
- Angola-Indigenous Religious Systems
- Angola-Incidence and Trends in Crime
- Angola-Timber
- Angola-AGRICULTURE
- Angola-Central Committee
- Angola-Air and Air Defense Force
- Angola-Administration and Development
- Angola-Kongo Kingdom
- Angola-THE DOS SANTOS REGIME
- Angola-Marketing
- Angola-Matamba and Kasanje Kingdoms
- Angola-Traditional Elites
- Angola-Role of Women and Children
- Angola-ANGOLA
- Angola-The Early Nineteenth Century THE 1800s: TURMOIL IN PORTUGAL, REFORM AND EXPANSION IN ANGOLA
- Angola-Political Bureau
- Angola-Military Organization and Capability
- Angola-Drainage
- Angola-POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT
- Angola-Shaba Invasion and the Nitista Plot
- Angola-Armed Forces Organization and Mission
- Angola-The Costs of Endemic Conflict WAR AND THE ROLE OF THE ARMED FORCES IN SOCIETY
- Angola-Heavy Industry
- Angola-Civic Action and Veterans' Groups
- Angola -COUNTRY PROFILE
- Angola
- Angola-The Demographic Situation SETTLEMENT, CONQUEST, AND DEVELOPMENT
- Angola-South African Intervention
- Angola-Defense and Security Council
- Angola-Slave Trading in the 1700s ANGOLA IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY
- Angola-GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
- Angola-Training
- Angola-STRUCTURE OF SOCIETY
- Angola-RISE OF AFRICAN NATIONALISM
- Angola-Chapter 5 - National Security
- Angola-The Defeat of Kongo and Ndongo
- Angola-Operations
- Angola-Policy Making FOREIGN RELATIONS
- Angola-ANGOLAN INSURGENCY
- Angola-Ascendancy of the MPLA
- Angola-National Union of Angolan Workers
- Angola-The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola
- Angola-Ovambo, Nyaneka-Humbe, Herero, and Others
- Angola-Organizational Weaknesses
- Angola-Foreign Auxiliary Forces
- Angola-Railroads
- Angola-Regional Politics
- Angola-Transformation into a Marxist-Leninist Party and Internal Dissent
- Angola-External Support
- Angola-Constitutional and Political Context ARMED FORCES
- Angola-Antigovernment Opposition
- Angola-Strengthening Ties with the Soviet Union and Its Allies
- Angola-ECONOMY
- Angola-TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
- Angola-Council of Ministers
- Angola-Christianity
- Angola-Religious Communities
- Angola-Social Structure in Rural Communities
- Angola-Chapter - 1 - Historical Setting
- Angola-Background EVOLUTION OF THE ARMED FORCES
- Angola-PREFACE
- Angola-Steps Toward a Stronger Party and Political Discord
- Angola-Effects of the Insurgency
- Angola-Other Minerals
- Angola-Prison System
- Angola-FAPLA's Combat Performance
- Angola-Collapse of the Transitional Government
- Angola-Foreign Assistance
- Angola-Human Rights
- Angola-POPULATION STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS
- Angola-The Constitution STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT
- Angola-INTERNAL SECURITY
- Angola-Emergence of UNITA
- Angola-Salazar's Racial Politics
- Angola-Criminal Justice System CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
- Angola-Chapter 2 - The Society and Its Environment
- Angola-Diamonds
- Angola-Communist Nations
- Angola-Independence Struggle, Civil War, and Intervention
- Angola-SOCIETY
- Angola-Angola as a Refuge
- Angola-Ground Forces
- Angola-Electric Power
- Angola-Ports
- Angola-Party Congress
- Angola-Light Industry
- Angola-Regional Organization
- Angola-Judicial System
- Angola-Navy
- Angola-Terrain
- Angola-STRUCTURE OF THE ECONOMY
- Angola-ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT
- Angola
- Angola-Telecommunications
- Angola-Second Party Congress
- Angola-The Enduring Rival: UNITA
- Angola-Construction Materials
- Angola-Noncommunist Nations
- Angola-The Dutch Interregnum, 1641-48
- Angola-The Namibia Issue and Security Threats in the 1980s
- Angola-Roads TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
- Angola-Fishing
- Angola-Food Processing
- Angola-Nganguela
- Angola-Abolition of the Slave Trade
- Angola-United States and Western Europe
- Angola
- Angola
- Angola-Liberation Movements in Cabinda
- Angola-Local Administration
- Angola-INDUSTRY
- Angola-Ovimbundu
- Angola
- Angola-ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- Angola-Regional Accord
- Angola-Angola under the New State ANGOLA UNDER THE SALAZAR REGIME
- Angola-Hunters, Gatherers, Herders, and Others
- Angola-Conditions of Service, Ranks, and Military Justice
- Angola-Effects of Socialist Policies
- Angola-Social Structure in Urban Areas
- Angola-Finances
- Angola-GEOGRAPHY
- Angola-Ovimbundu Social Structure
- Angola-Balance of Trade and Payments BALANCE OF PAYMENTS, FINANCES, AND FOREIGN DEBT
- Angola-Education in UNITA-Claimed Territory
- Angola-Foreword
- Angola-Mbundu
- Angola-Foreign Debt
- Angola-Mass Organizations MASS ORGANIZATIONS AND INTEREST GROUPS
- Angola-Ndongo Kingdom
- Angola-Oil
- Angola-ETHNIC GROUPS AND LANGUAGES
- Angola-Executive Branch
- Angola-MASS MEDIA
- Angola-Foreign Intervention
- Angola-Legislative Branch
- Angola-RELIGIOUS LIFE
- Angola-PRECOLONIAL ANGOLA AND THE ARRIVAL OF THE PORTUGUESE
- Angola-Climate
- Angola-Lunda-Chokwe
- Angola-Air Transport
- Angola-Policies Affecting Urban Society
- Angola-Erstwhile Opposition: FLEC and the FNLA
- Angola-The Definition of Ethnicity
- Angola-Structure
- Angola
- Angola-Iron Ore
- Angola-Chapter 3 - The Economy
- Angola-HEALTH AND WELFARE
- Angola-Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola-Youth Movement
- Angola-NATIONAL SECURITY ENVIRONMENT
- Angola-Portuguese Settlers in Angola
- Angola-Organization of Angolan Women
- Angola-Coffee
- Angola-Lunda and Chokwe Kingdoms
- Angola-Economic Problems and the Implementation of Socialist Policies
- Angola-BACKGROUND TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- Angola-The Final Days of the Neto Regime
- Angola
- Angola-INTRODUCTION
- Angola
- Angola-Background POPULAR MOVEMENT FOR THE LIBERATION OF ANGOLA-WORKERS' PARTY
- Angola-PHYSICAL SETTING
- Angola-Ovimbundu and Kwanhama Kingdoms
- Angola-COALITION, THE TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT, AND CIVIL WAR
- Angola-Chapter 4 - Government and Politics
Background | | Angola is rebuilding its country after the end of a 27-year civil war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in 1975. Peace seemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, but fighting picked up again by 1996. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost - and 4 million people displaced - in the quarter century of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and strengthened the MPLA's hold on power. President DOS SANTOS held legislative elections in September 2008 and, despite promising to hold presidential elections in 2009, has since made a presidential poll contingent on the drafting of a new constitution.
|
Location | | Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo
|
Area(sq km) | | total: 1,246,700 sq km land: 1,246,700 sq km water: 0 sq km
|
Geographic coordinates | | 12 30 S, 18 30 E
|
Land boundaries(km) | | total: 5,198 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km
|
Coastline(km) | | 1,600 km
|
Climate | | semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)
|
Elevation extremes(m) | | lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m
|
Natural resources | | petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium
|
Land use(%) | | arable land: 2.65% permanent crops: 0.23% other: 97.12% (2005)
|
Irrigated land(sq km) | | 800 sq km (2003)
|
Total renewable water resources(cu km) | | 184 cu km (1987)
|
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural) | | total: 0.35 cu km/yr (23%/17%/60%) per capita: 22 cu m/yr (2000)
|
Natural hazards | | locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau
|
Environment - current issues | | overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropical rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water
|
Environment - international agreements | | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
|
Geography - note | | the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo
|
Population | | 12,799,293 (July 2009 est.)
|
Age structure(%) | | 0-14 years: 43.5% (male 2,812,359/female 2,759,047) 15-64 years: 53.7% (male 3,496,726/female 3,382,440) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 153,678/female 195,043) (2009 est.)
|
Median age(years) | | total: 18 years male: 18 years female: 18 years (2009 est.)
|
Population growth rate(%) | | 2.095% (2009 est.)
|
Birth rate(births/1,000 population) | | 43.69 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
|
Death rate(deaths/1,000 population) | | 24.08 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
|
Net migration rate(migrant(s)/1,000 population) | | 1.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
|
Urbanization(%) | | urban population: 57% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
|
Sex ratio(male(s)/female) | | at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
|
Infant mortality rate(deaths/1,000 live births) | | total: 180.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 192.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 167.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
|
Life expectancy at birth(years) | | total population: 38.2 years male: 37.24 years female: 39.22 years (2009 est.)
|
Total fertility rate(children born/woman) | | 6.12 children born/woman (2009 est.)
|
Nationality | | noun: Angolan(s) adjective: Angolan
|
Ethnic groups(%) | | Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%
|
Religions(%) | | indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.)
|
Languages(%) | | Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
|
Country name | | conventional long form: Republic of Angola conventional short form: Angola local long form: Republica de Angola local short form: Angola former: People's Republic of Angola
|
Government type | | republic; multiparty presidential regime
|
Capital | | name: Luanda geographic coordinates: 8 50 S, 13 14 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
|
Administrative divisions | | 18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire
|
Constitution | | adopted by People's Assembly 25 August 1992
|
Legal system | | based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
|
Suffrage | | 18 years of age; universal
|
Executive branch | | chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); Antonio Paulo KASSOMA was named prime minister by MPLA on 26 September 2008 cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by universal ballot for a five-year term (eligible for a second consecutive or discontinuous term) under the 1992 constitution; President DOS SANTOS was selected by the party to take over after the death of former President Augustino NETO(1979) under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next were to be held in September 2009 but have been postponed) election results: Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; the run-off was never held leaving DOS SANTOS in his current position as the president
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Legislative branch | | unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5-6 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 81.6%, UNITA 10.4%, PRS 3.2%, ND 1.2%, FNLA 1.1%, other 2.5%; seats by party - MPLA 191, UNITA 16, PRS 8, FNLA 3, ND 2
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Judicial branch | | Supreme Court and separate provincial courts (judges are appointed by the president)
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Political pressure groups and leaders | | Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zita Henriques TIAGO, Antonio Bento BEMBE] note: FLEC's small-scale armed struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province persists despite the signing of a peace accord with the government in August 2006
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International organization participation | | ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OPEC, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
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Flag description | | two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle); red represents liberty, black the African continent, the symbols characterize workers and peasants
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Economy - overview | | Angola's high growth rate is driven by its oil sector, which has taken advantage of high international oil prices. 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 postwar reconstruction boom and resettlement of displaced persons has led to high rates of growth in construction and agriculture as well. Much of the country's infrastructure is still damaged or undeveloped from the 27-year-long civil war. Remnants of the conflict such as widespread land mines still mar the countryside even though an apparently durable peace was established after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI in February 2002. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for most of the people, but half of the country's food must still be imported. In 2005, the government started using a $2 billion line of credit, since increased to $7 billion, from China to rebuild Angola's public infrastructure, and several large-scale projects were completed in 2006. Angola also has large credit lines from Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Spain, and the EU. The central bank in 2003 implemented an exchange rate stabilization program using foreign exchange reserves to buy kwanzas out of circulation. This policy became more sustainable in 2005 because of strong oil export earnings; it has significantly reduced inflation. Although consumer inflation declined from 325% in 2000 to under 13% in 2008, the stabilization policy has put pressure on international net liquidity. Angola became a member of OPEC in late 2006 and in late 2007 was assigned a production quota of 1.9 million barrels a day, somewhat less than the 2-2.5 million bbl Angola's government had wanted. To fully take advantage of its rich national resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to implement government reforms, increase transparency, and reduce corruption. The government has rejected a formal IMF monitored program, although it continues Article IV consultations and ad hoc cooperation. Corruption, especially in the extractive sectors, and the negative effects of large inflows of foreign exchange, are major challenges facing Angola.
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GDP (purchasing power parity) | | $112.8 billion (2008 est.) $100.5 billion (2007 est.) $82.94 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars
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GDP (official exchange rate) | | $84.95 billion (2008 est.)
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GDP - real growth rate(%) | | 12.3% (2008 est.) 21.1% (2007 est.) 18.6% (2006 est.)
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GDP - per capita (PPP) | | $9,000 (2008 est.) $8,200 (2007 est.) $6,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars
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GDP - composition by sector(%) | | agriculture: 9.2% industry: 65.8% services: 24.6% (2008 est.)
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Labor force | | 7.569 million (2008 est.)
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Labor force - by occupation(%) | | agriculture: 85% industry and services: 15% (2003 est.)
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Unemployment rate(%) | | NA
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Population below poverty line(%) | | 40.5% (2006 est.)
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Household income or consumption by percentage share(%) | | lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
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Investment (gross fixed)(% of GDP) | | 9% of GDP (2008 est.)
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Budget | | revenues: $28.99 billion expenditures: $21.44 billion (2008 est.)
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Inflation rate (consumer prices)(%) | | 12.5% (2008 est.) 12.2% (2007 est.)
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Stock of money | | $8.446 billion (31 December 2008) $4.153 billion (31 December 2007)
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Stock of quasi money | | $10.41 billion (31 December 2008) $7.216 billion (31 December 2007)
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Stock of domestic credit | | $7.893 billion (31 December 2008) $1.166 billion (31 December 2007)
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Economic aid - recipient | | $441.8 million (2005)
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Public debt(% of GDP) | | 15.5% of GDP (2008 est.) 12% of GDP (2007 est.)
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Agriculture - products | | bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish
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Industries | | petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; ship repair
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Industrial production growth rate(%) | | 14.3% (2008 est.)
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Current account balance | | $17.11 billion (2008 est.) $9.402 billion (2007 est.)
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Exports | | $66.3 billion (2008 est.) $44.4 billion (2007 est.)
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Exports - commodities(%) | | crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton
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Exports - partners(%) | | China 33%, US 28.7%, France 6%, South Africa 4.6%, Canada 4.1% (2008)
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Imports | | $17.08 billion (2008 est.) $13.66 billion (2007 est.)
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Imports - commodities(%) | | machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods
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Imports - partners(%) | | Portugal 17.6%, China 15.7%, US 11.3%, Brazil 7.6%, South Korea 6.8%, South Africa 4.8% (2008)
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Reserves of foreign exchange and gold | | $18.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $11.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
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Debt - external | | $14.09 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $8.357 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
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Stock of direct foreign investment - at home | | $16.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $14.51 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
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Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad | | $2.477 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
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Exchange rates | | kwanza (AOA) per US dollar - 75.023 (2008 est.), 76.6 (2007), 80.4 (2006), 88.6 (2005), 83.541 (2004)
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Currency (code) | | kwanza (AOA)
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Telephones - main lines in use | | 114,300 (2008)
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Telephones - mobile cellular | | 6.773 million (2008)
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Telephone system | | general assessment: system inadequate; fewer than one fixed-line per 100 persons; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density exceeded 50 telephones per 100 persons in 2008 domestic: state-owned telecom had monopoly for fixed-lines until 2005; demand outstripped capacity, prices were high, and services poor; Telecom Namibia, through an Angolan company, became the first private licensed operator in Angola's fixed-line telephone network; Angola Telecom established mobile-cellular service in Luanda in 1993 and the network has been extended to larger towns; a privately-owned, mobile-cellular service provider began operations in 2001 international: country code - 244; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 29 (2008)
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Internet country code | | .ao
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Internet users | | 550,000 (2008)
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Airports | | 192 (2009)
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Pipelines(km) | | gas 2 km; oil 87 km (2008)
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Roadways(km) | | total: 51,429 km paved: 5,349 km unpaved: 46,080 km (2001)
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Ports and terminals | | Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Namibe
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Military branches | | Angolan Armed Forces (FAA): Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra Angola, MGA), Angolan National Air Force (Forca Aerea Nacional Angolana, FANA) (2009)
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Military service age and obligation(years of age) | | 22-24 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years; Angolan citizenship required (2009)
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Manpower available for military service | | males age 16-49: 2,856,492 females age 16-49: 2,755,864 (2008 est.)
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Manpower fit for military service | | males age 16-49: 1,467,833 females age 16-49: 1,411,468 (2009 est.)
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Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually | | male: 146,738 female: 143,478 (2009 est.)
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Military expenditures(% of GDP) | | 5.7% of GDP (2006)
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Disputes - international | | Cabindan separatists continue to return to the Angolan exclave from exile in neighboring states and Europe since the 2006 ceasefire and peace agreement
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Refugees and internally displaced persons | | refugees (country of origin): 12,615 (Democratic Republic of Congo) IDPs: 61,700 (27-year civil war ending in 2002; 4 million IDPs already have returned) (2007)
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Electricity - production(kWh) | | 3.722 billion kWh (2007 est.)
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Electricity - production by source(%) | | fossil fuel: 36.4% hydro: 63.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
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Electricity - consumption(kWh) | | 3.173 billion kWh (2007 est.)
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Electricity - exports(kWh) | | 0 kWh (2008 est.)
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Electricity - imports(kWh) | | 0 kWh (2008 est.)
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Oil - production(bbl/day) | | 2.015 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
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Oil - consumption(bbl/day) | | 64,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
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Oil - exports(bbl/day) | | 1.407 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
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Oil - imports(bbl/day) | | 28,090 bbl/day (2007 est.)
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Oil - proved reserves(bbl) | | 9.04 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
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Natural gas - production(cu m) | | 680 million cu m (2008 est.)
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Natural gas - consumption(cu m) | | 680 million cu m (2008 est.)
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Natural gas - exports(cu m) | | 0 cu m (2008)
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Natural gas - proved reserves(cu m) | | 269.8 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate(%) | | 2.1% (2007 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS | | 190,000 (2007 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - deaths | | 11,000 (2007 est.)
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Major infectious diseases | | degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)
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Literacy(%) | | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 67.4% male: 82.9% female: 54.2% (2001 est.)
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Education expenditures(% of GDP) | | 2.4% of GDP (2005)
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