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Government
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
Data code: AO
Government type: transitional government, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential system
Capital: Luanda
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
Independence: 11 November 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 11 November (1975)
Constitution: 11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March 1991, and 26 August 1992
Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recently modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets
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 January
1999); note—the president is both chief of state and head
of government
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: President DOS SANTOS originally elected without opposition
under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's
first multiparty elections in 28-29 September 1992, the last elections
to be held (next to be held NA)
election results: DOS SANTOS received 49.6% of the total vote,
making a run-off election necessary between him and second-place
finisher Jonas SAVIMBI; the run-off was not held and SAVIMBI's
National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) repudiated
the results of the first election; the civil war resumed
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected
by proportional vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA)
election results: percent of vote by party—MPLA 54%, UNITA
34%, others 12%; seats by party—MPLA 129, UNITA 70, PRS 6,
FNLA 5, PLD 3, others 7
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Tribunal da Relacao, judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders:
Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA [Jose Eduardo
DOS SANTOS] ruling party in power since 1975; National Union for
the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA [Jonas SAVIMBI], largest
opposition party engaged in years of armed resistance before joining
the current unity government in April 1997; Social Renewal Party
or PRS [leader NA]; National Front for the Liberation of Angola
or FNLA [leader NA]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [leader NA]
note: about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 elections
but won few seats and have little influence in the National Assembly
Political pressure groups and
leaders: Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or
FLEC
note: FLEC is waging a small-scale, highly factionalized, armed
struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in
the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio dos Santos FRANCA "N'dalu"
chancery: 1615 M Street, NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156
FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258
Diplomatic representation from
the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph G. SULLIVAN
embassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne, Miramar, Luanda
mailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6484, Luanda;
pouch: American Embassy Luanda, Department of State, Washington,
DC 20521-2550
telephone: [244] (2) 345-481, 346-418
FAX: [244] (2) 346-924
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)