Two generations of Angolans have grown up not knowing the meaning
of the word “peace”. Four decades of continuous war began with
the first battles against colonial forces in the early 1960s, and
continued through the transition to independence in 1975, followed by
the civil war that has dominated the history of independent Angola.
During this prolonged period of civil war, over 330 000 Angolans fled into neighbouring countries, and many more were displaced within Angola. The war involved widespread destruction of infrastructure, and much of the land now contains landmines. Prior to the war, Angola had been dominated by Portugal for almost 500 years.
Tension remains high in the oil-rich Cabinda Province, which has struggled for independence from Angola since the mid-1970s.
The United States and China both have growing economic interests in the country.
According to the IMF, the Angolan economy grew by 14.7% in 2005 (compared to 4.6% for other countries in sub-Saharan Africa). Projections are that the economy will grow by an average of 18% in 2006 and 2007, mainly due to increased oil production. Diamond exports could reach $6 billion in 2008.
Despite good economic potential, Angola remains plagued by poverty and poor education.
Announcements
- Communiqué of the African Emergency Summit on Zimbabwe (Dar es Salaam)
- Advertisement for Executive Director
- Letter to SADC and African Heads of State and Government regarding the Zimbabwean elections
- Carta Urgente à SADC e aos Chefes de Estado e de Governos referente às Eleições Zimbabweanas
- Apelos para a Submissão de Propostas Sobre o Fortalecimento dos Movimentos de Mulheres nos Países em Crise e em Fase de Transi
- Call for Proposals on Strengthening Women’s Movements in Crisis and Transitional Countries
News Headlines
- MDC: no "run-off" amidst violence
- Zimbabwe arms shipment still at large
- Malawian parliament suspended
- A Glossary of oppression in Zimbabwe
- Terror in Zimbabwe: shocking pictures
- Zimbabwe election crackdown continues
- No peace in eastern DRC
- Zimbabwe election stalemate deepens
- Mugabe rounds up opposition, observers
- Renewed fighting in eastern DRC
- Zimbabwe weapons ship doubles back
- Foreign tanks in transit in South Africa
- Zimbabwe armaments ship flees SA
- Communities map rural DRC villages
- SA to facilitate arms for Zimbabwe?
- ZDF soldiers beat Harare residents
- "Revolutionary" Mbeki deserves special honour?
- Hutu militia fear return to Rwanda
- Zimbabwe Court rules against MDC
- Mugabe demands a "recount"
- 68 dead, 300 missing in western DRC
- Mozambique cyclone: at least 7 dead
- Police clash with Katanga miners
- 500 Chambishi mineworkers fired
- FLEC claims successful attack in Cabinda
- At least 22 killed in western DRC
- Managers held hostage at Chambesi
- Joyce Mujuru supports Mugabe 6th term
- Dabengwa backs Makoni against Mugabe
- 16 prisoners dead in Mbuji-Mayi
(News headlines based on Google Alerts. Please note that OSISA has no control over the content on external Websites)
