Political news
Government adopt new constitution
The Angolan Government adopted a new constitution on 21st January. One of the most significant changes is that the direct ballot for the position of President will be replaced with the appointment of the leader of the party that wins the largest share of the vote in the parliamentary elections. Presidential elections were widely anticipated to be held in 2009 but were postponed.
The constitution was approved with 186 votes in favour, two abstentions and no votes against, out of a potential 220 votes in Parliament, exceeding the required two-thirds majority. UNITA, the main opposition party boycotted the vote.
Under the new constitution, the President will remain as head of state and commander in chief of the armed forces with the role of Prime Minister being replaced by Vice President. The President will be able to serve a maximum of two five year terms. This would potentially enable Eduardo dos Santos, who recently marked his 30th anniversary as President, to serve until 2022. The new constitution also gives the President more responsibility for day to day affairs of state, previously the responsibility of the Prime Minister. According to the Government the new system will be more efficient, less costly and will bring them in line with other countries in the region.
The new constitution empowers the President to appoint judges to the Supreme and Constitutional Courts and the head of Court of Audits. According to the governing party, the MPLA, the new constitution will reduce corruption in a country classified as the 18th most corrupt in the world, according to watchdog Transparency International. Article 10 of the constitution separates the Church and state and recognises freedom of religion in the largely catholic country. Land concessions can only be granted by the state and are restricted to Angolan nationals or companies, ensuring that foreign investors establish an Angolan arm or have a local partner in order to access land.
It is claimed that freedom of the press will be protected under the new constitution. The Government currently have significant control over the media, running two television stations, radio and the only daily newspaper. Radio Ecclesia, the Catholic Church radio station is currently not permitted to broadcast throughout the country; only state radio is currently allowed to do this.
The Supreme Court has upheld the new constitution and the President has appointed a new Government, largely similar to the previous MPLA Government.
Angola hosts African Cup of Nations
Football fans in Egypt were celebrating at the end of January as their team won the African Cup of Nations (CAN) in the final against Algeria held in Luanda.
The opening ceremony held in Luanda’s November 11 National Stadium was attended by presidents from across the continent. It was commended by the US Embassy for “projecting a powerful and effective image of Angola’s history and culture”. However, the event, along with much of the competition was overshadowed by the attack on the national team of Togo as they travelled to the enclave of Cabinda. Angola has spent the last three years preparing for the competition which it hoped to use as a showcase for the country’s socio-economic developments since the civil war ended in 2002.
Togo national team attacked in Cabinda
The Togo national team was attacked on 8th January near the Congolese border prior to the African Cup of Nations. The bus driver, goal keeper coach and a media official were killed in the attack and two players were injured. The attack happened just after the team entered Cabinda, one of four venues being used to host the African Cup of Nations.
Following the attack, General Rodrigues Mingas, secretary of the separatist Front for the Liberation of Cabinda Enclave (FLEC), which seeks independence from Angola, said they would launch new assaults in Cabinda province during the African Cup of Nations.
"All measures were taken to ensure that the CAN matches are played in the best secure conditions in Cabinda," a senior official of Angola's Interior Ministry pledged. Togo withdrew from the competition shortly after the attack after a request from its own government.
Cabinda, a former Portuguese colony, is situated between DR Congo and the Republic of Congo and is rich in oil, natural gas and tropical hardwood. FLEC accuses the Angolan Government of taking Cabinda's resources whilst not addressing poverty in the region.
Following the attack a 1,000 strong crowd responded to a national Government request to march in support of the Togo national side. Jean-Baptiste Mawete, governor of Cabinda said "We are here to say no to terrorism and to show our solidarity with the young Togolese."
Human rights groups have accused the Government of using the attack as an excuse to round up critics. Amnesty International raised concerns after Francisco Luemba, a lawyer, Padre Raul Tati, a catholic priest, Pedro Fuca, a former police officer and Professor Belchoir Lanso Tati, a former member of banned human rights group Mpalabanda, were arrested. Mpalabanda, the only human rights organisation in Cabinda, was banned in 2006 on charges of inciting violence and hatred.
In December, Human Rights Watch highlighted the arrest of a journalist and the harassment of reporters from the limited independent media in Cabinda, calling for the Government to ensure freedom of the press, ahead of the Cup of Nations.
Amnesty International called on the Government to ensure “that this deplorable incident is not used as an excuse to violate the rights of citizens in Cabinda through arbitrary arrests and detentions or any form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment." The organisation further called on the Angolan authorities to ensure that a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attacks is carried out in accordance with international human rights standards.
MPLA hold Congress
The MPLA’s sixth congress took place in Luanda between 7th and 10th December. The Congress saw the re-election of President dos Santos as head of the party in a secret ballot with 1,964 votes out of a possible 2,080. Following the vote the President said "It was a surprise for me to see that 99 percent of the delegates, through a secret vote, voted in this way…For me this vote means the MPLA and its delegates in the this congress want me to work harder and better in order to defend the rights of our party."
In his closing speech President Jose Eduardo dos Santos said the Government would put into effect its commitments made in the 2008 elections to increase the nations agricultural output as well as embark on a programme of increasing electricity and water output, building one million new homes and developing health and education provision.
He also raised the issue of constitutional reform including changes to the terms of office of ministers and strengthening the leading executive bodies of the MPLA and of Government. He noted that those in Government who had repeatedly been criticised by the public (presumably for allegations of corruption) would be investigated by the MPLA. Scrutiny and monitoring of office holders would also be introduced. Most controversial was the signal that the President and parliament would be elected through a single vote, effectively delaying the presidential election until 2012. President dos Santos has been criticised for repeatedly delaying the election.