The Evolution Of Angola: A Country Transformed

Angola has changed significantly since it gained independence from Portugal in 1975. The country has been inhabited since the Paleolithic Age and has a long history of colonial rule and conflict. Angola's economy is now one of the fastest-growing in the world, driven by its vast mineral and petroleum reserves. However, economic growth is uneven, and much of its wealth remains concentrated in a small portion of the population. Angola has also faced challenges in diversifying its economy away from oil dependence and addressing high levels of poverty and inequality. Politically, the country has been governed by the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) since independence, but there have been recent efforts to address corruption and reduce the influence of the previous administration. Angola is a culturally diverse country, influenced by its indigenous ethnic groups and a long period of Portuguese colonial rule.

The end of the civil war

The Angolan Civil War lasted from 1975 to 2002 and was a power struggle between the communist People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the anti-communist National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). The war began immediately after Angola became independent from Portugal in November 1975. Here is a detailed account of how Angola changed after the end of the civil war.

The Angolan Civil War ended in 2002 with the assassination of UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi. This event triggered negotiations between UNITA and the MPLA, resulting in a peace agreement in April 2002, bringing an end to the 27-year-long civil war. This section will explore the key developments that led to the end of the civil war and the subsequent changes in Angola.

The MPLA, backed by Cuban and Soviet forces, had established control over Luanda, the capital, and declared itself the government of independent Angola. They received recognition from several African countries and international organisations. In contrast, UNITA, led by Savimbi, had the support of the South African government and managed to capture several major diamond mines, using the proceeds to finance their guerrilla campaigns.

In the late 1980s, the collapse of communist regimes in Eastern Europe weakened the MPLA's position. They abandoned their strict Marxist-Leninist stance and agreed to a new constitution that included elections and participation by all parties, including UNITA. The MPLA also dropped the words "Partido Trabalhista" from their name, signalling a shift away from orthodox Marxism-Leninism.

In 1992, relatively free and fair elections were held, with the MPLA receiving the majority of votes. However, UNITA accused the MPLA of election fraud and resumed the civil war. UNITA representatives in Luanda were massacred in what was believed to be a government-endorsed uprising. By 1992, UNITA had gained control of about two-thirds of the country, including valuable diamond mines used to fund their war efforts.

International pressure mounted on both parties to reach a peaceful solution. The United Nations imposed sanctions on UNITA in 1993 after they broke a ceasefire agreement. On November 20, 1994, the Lusaka Accord was signed, agreeing that UNITA would cease all fighting and, in return, be incorporated into the government. However, tensions continued, and Savimbi refused to attend the ceremony in 1997 when UNITA members joined the MPLA government.

The civil war continued until Savimbi's assassination in 2002, which created an opportunity for peace negotiations. The war devastated Angola's infrastructure and severely impacted public administration, the economy, and religious institutions. It is estimated that between 500,000 and 800,000 people died, over a million were internally displaced, and landmines continue to cause civilian casualties.

Economic growth and diversification

Angola's economy is one of the fastest-growing in the world, especially since the end of its civil war in 2002. However, economic growth is highly uneven, with most of the nation's wealth concentrated in a disproportionately small part of the population. Angola's greatest growth potential lies in economic diversification, especially in the agribusiness sector.

The country has huge agricultural potential, with 58 million hectares of extremely fertile land capable of providing two annual harvests. In addition, less than 3% of Angola's abundant fertile land is cultivated, and the economic potential of the forestry sector remains largely unexploited. The government has anticipated economic growth of 3.5% between 2023 and 2027, driven by economic diversification, with the agribusiness sector expected to receive funding of around US$3 billion. This will help position Angola among the main African agricultural producers.

Angola has also attracted foreign direct investment (FDI) from countries such as China, Turkey, Eritrea, India, Portugal, and Lebanon, with investment in industrial units across multiple sectors. To further attract investors, the Luanda-Bengo Special Economic Zone (ZEE) has been transformed into a free trade zone with a specific and subsidised tax regime. This will help cement its status as the central platform for regional and international business and increase its international credibility and the confidence of potential investors.

Angola's non-oil sectors have also been accelerated, with investment redirected to sectors such as agriculture, agro-livestock, mining, energy production, water supply, and telecommunications. The country has 36 of the 51 most valued minerals in the world, and there are investment opportunities in water projects for energy production and the irrigation of agricultural fields. In addition, Angola has upgraded critical infrastructure, with funds from the development of its oil resources, and has one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa.

However, it is important to note that Angola's economic growth and diversification efforts are closely linked to climate resilience. The impacts of climate change threaten people's lives and livelihoods across the country, and without adaptation measures, Angola's gross domestic product (GDP) could be significantly reduced by 2050. Therefore, it is critical for Angola to invest in climate resilience and intensify its efforts to diversify its economy.

Political changes

Angola has undergone significant political changes since its independence in 1975. Here is an overview of the key political developments in the country:

• From One-Party Rule to Multiparty Democracy: Angola transitioned from a one-party Marxist-Leninist system under the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) to a multiparty democracy. The MPLA ruled from independence in 1975 until the first multiparty elections in 1992.
• Civil War and Instability: Angola descended into a civil war in 1975 between the ruling MPLA, the insurgent National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), and the National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA). This conflict lasted until 2002 and resulted in devastating losses.
• Leadership Changes: José Eduardo dos Santos was the president of Angola for 38 years, from 1979 until his peaceful succession by João Lourenço in 2017. This transition marked a shift in the country's political landscape.
• Anti-Corruption Efforts: Since taking office, President Lourenço has made fighting corruption a priority. This has led to the prosecution and imprisonment of individuals associated with the previous administration, including members of the dos Santos family.
• Economic Reforms: Angola has implemented economic reforms to reduce its dependence on oil and promote economic diversification. However, the country still faces challenges in addressing poverty and inequality.
• Human Rights and Civil Liberties: There are concerns about arbitrary arrests, suppression of opposition, and restrictions on democratic rights in Angola. Human rights organizations have reported cases of discrimination and persecution of government critics.
• International Relations: Angola has improved its international image and actively engages with regional organizations like the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU). It has also strengthened bilateral relations with countries like South Africa and China.
• Ongoing Challenges: Despite progress, Angola continues to face challenges such as income inequality, poverty, and the need for economic diversification. The MPLA's dominance in politics and the economy has hindered genuine democratization and efforts to address these issues.

Social changes

Angola has undergone a series of social changes over the years, some of which are detailed below:

Social Inequality and Poverty

Angola has long been a country marked by social inequality and poverty. The majority of the population lives on less than $2 per day, and the country's economic growth has been highly uneven, with most of the nation's wealth concentrated in the hands of a small portion of the population. While Angola's economy is among the fastest-growing in the world, this growth has not translated into improved living conditions for most Angolans. The country's dependence on the oil sector and its vulnerability to external shocks have further contributed to macroeconomic instability and high levels of poverty and inequality.

Political Changes

Angola has a long history of political instability and conflict, with a 27-year civil war that ended in 2002. Since then, the country has been relatively stable, with the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) retaining power since independence in 1975. However, there have been recent efforts to challenge the ruling party, with the formation of the United Patriotic Front, an electoral coalition of various opposition parties. Despite these challenges, the MPLA remains dominant, and Angola continues to function as a dominant-party regime with significant authoritarian characteristics.

Human Rights and Freedom of Expression

Angola has made some progress in respecting the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, allowing several protests and marches to take place. However, there is still a significant crackdown on peaceful protesters and activists in certain regions, such as the oil-rich enclave of Cabinda and the diamond-rich Lunda Norte. Additionally, media freedom remains restricted, with the government implementing measures to control independent news outlets, leading to self-censorship among journalists.

Economic Changes

Angola's economy is heavily dependent on the oil sector, which has led to volatile growth and increased vulnerability to external shocks. Efforts have been made to diversify the economy and promote private sector investment, particularly in the agricultural sector. However, these efforts have been hindered by the global decarbonization movement and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, Angola continues to struggle with high unemployment, particularly among youth, and a lack of job creation.

Infrastructure Development

Angola has made significant investments in infrastructure development, particularly in the areas of transportation and telecommunications. The country has expanded its railway system, improved roads, and established five major sea ports. Additionally, Angola has focused on improving access to education and healthcare, although these sectors continue to face challenges due to limited resources and staffing shortages.

International relations

Angola has a strong relationship with the United States, which has been its primary source of official development assistance. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1993, but before that, the US supported anti-government rebels during the Angolan Civil War due to Cold War politics. The US was also Angola's primary export market in 1975 and its third-largest import market.

In the 21st century, the US-Angola partnership has focused on regional security, especially in the Gulf of Guinea. The US has also supported Angola's commitment to democratic reforms, including amplifying civil society and faith-based organisations' role in democratic elections and local decision-making.

Angola is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, and the Southern African Development Community. It has also been elected twice as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

Angola has strong relations with its neighbouring countries. It has an embassy in Namibia and signed a mutual defence pact with the country in 1999, which impacted the Angolan Civil War. Angola has also intervened in the Democratic Republic of Congo's civil war, supporting Joseph Kabila's government.

Angola has worked to improve ties with its Anglophone neighbours to the south through the Southern African Development Community. It has also focused on cultivating links with other Portuguese-speaking countries, such as Portugal and Brazil, with which it shares many cultural affinities. Angola is a member of the Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa.

Angola has a strong relationship with China, which is its biggest trade partner and export destination. In 2006, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao visited Angola and offered a $9 billion loan for infrastructure improvements in exchange for petroleum.

Angola has also developed relations with other countries, including India, Israel, Japan, Vietnam, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Serbia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Turkey.

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