|
| 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
|
| Government type: |
transitional government, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential system
|
| 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 21 September 1979); 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 (in 1979) without opposition under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA)
election results:
DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; 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 are appointed by the president)
|
| Political parties and leaders: |
Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Analia de Victoria PEREIRA]; National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [disputed leadership: Lucas NGONDA, Holden ROBERTO]; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA [Jonas SAVIMBI], largest opposition party has engaged in years of armed resistance; Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS] ruling party in power since 1975; Social Renewal Party or PRS [disputed leadership: Eduardo KUANGANA, Antonio MUACHICUNGO]; UNITA-Renovada [Eugenio NGOLO "Manuvakola", leader]
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 [N'zita Henriques TIAGO; Antonio Bento BEMBE]
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, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
|
| Diplomatic representation in the US: |
chief of mission:
Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKIDI
chancery:
1615 M Street, NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036
telephone:
[1] (202) 785-1156
FAX:
[1] (202) 785-1258
consulate(s) general:
New York
|
| Diplomatic representation from the US: |
chief of mission:
Ambassador Joseph G. SULLIVAN
embassy:
number 32 Rua Houari Boumeddienne, 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)
|
|
|
|
