Angola: Elections to select new president scheduled for August 23

Event

On Monday, April 24, the president’s cabinet announced that general elections will take place on August 23 to choose a successor to President Eduardo Dos Santos, who has said he plans to step aside after ruling for 38 years. The presidential candidate for dos Santos’ ruling MPLA party will be his current minister of defense and vice-president of the MPLA (People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola), Joao Lourenço. However, Dos Santos is expected to retain wide-ranging powers even after the election despite his transition out of the presidency.

Context

President Dos Santos announced in February 2017 that he will not seek another term in office as per his intention to withdraw from politics. Dos Santos has been in power since 1979; his party the MPLA has ruled the country since its independence from Portugal in 1975.

Dos Santos has regularly been accused of repressing any opposition to his rule. About 50 protesters attended an unauthorized demonstration in Luanda on Monday, April 24, calling for fair elections; police arrested seven people, who were each jailed for 45 days.

Constitutional changes implemented in 2010 mean that the president is selected via general elections rather than a direct presidential election; the leader of the winning party in general elections automatically becomes head of state.

Advice

Individuals present in Angola are advised to monitor local news and to stay away from public gatherings, as violence may flare up without warning.

On a more general note, Western authorities generally advise against travel to Cabinda province as well as nonessential travel to Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul provinces (as well as the city of Cabinda). Travel should only be considered with appropriate security protocols in place. Due to the threat of kidnapping, those present in Angola are advised to keep a low profile and to remain alert for suspicious behavior and signs of surveillance. If you notice something suspicious, move immediately to safety and report the incident or situation.