9781422280706

Angola

developed between different ethnic groups. Independence was granted in 1975 but a power struggle developed among rival nationalist forces. The Marxist MPLA formed a Independence of Angola (UNITA) launched a civil war that lasted for 16 years. A treaty was signed in 1991 and multi-party elections were held the following year. Civil strife continued, however, when the MPLA, now no longer Marxist, was victorious and UNITA would not accept the result. In accord with the Lusaka Protocol, a government of national unity was formed in 1994, with leaders from both parties. Dos Santos remained president but UNITA’s Jonas Savimbi rejected the vice-presidency, which led to continued fighting. This resulted in UN sanctions being imposed on UNITA in 1997, but the fighting did not stop. In 2002 government forces killed Savimbi and a ceasefire was agreed. Over the coming years, although the political situation of the country stablized, regular democratic processes were not established until the elections of 2009 and 2012. To most people, Angola is synonymous with bloodshed, its association with Portugal and the acquisition of diamonds and crude government, but troops of the National Union for the Total

ABOVE: Angolan dwellings built in traditional style. LEFT: The Catholic cathedral of Lubango. OVERLEAF: The beautiful Kalandula Falls are situated on the Lucala River. They are 344 feet (105m) high and 1,300 feet (400m) wide. They are one of the largest waterfalls by volume in Africa. oil being responsible for this in equal measure. But Angola’s present economy is being driven by its oil sector, with record oil prices and rising petroleum production giving growth averages of more than 15 percent per annum. A post-war

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