Angola
Type of Government: Republic
Independence: 1975 from Portugal
Head of State: President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos (since September 21, 1979)
Dos Santos came to power while Angola was a one-party communist state in 1979 and was elected in the country’s first election in 1992. He obtained less than 50% of the vote but the required run-off never took place and the opposition party resumed a civil war for another ten years. Dos Santos remained in power during this time. The president of Angola is only supposed to serve a five-year term (with the potential for two terms). The first post-war election was first scheduled to be held in 2002 or 2003, then it moved to 2006, then 2007, now, potentially, in 2008 but Dos Santo is showing little interest in holding an election. He said in 2001 that he would not stand for reelection.
2007/2008 UN Development Index ranking (out of 177 countries): 162
2007 TI Corruption Perception Index (out of 179): 147
Political Development: 27-year civil war (1975 – 2002) between the current ruling party (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola) and its main opposition, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola.
Adult HIV Rate: 3.9%
Life Expectancy: 37.63
GDP: $28.88 billion
Inflation: 13.3%
Poverty: 70%
Petroleum: 1.6 million bpd
Leading Export Partner: US (38%)
Economic Note: Angola’s high growth rate is driven by its oil sector, with record oil prices and rising petroleum production. Oil production and its supporting activities contribute about half of GDP and 90% of exports. Corruption, especially in the extractive sectors, is a major challenge facing Angola.
