INTRODUCTION
This post discusses the past presidents of Angola since the establishment of the office in 1975,it also looks at the political instability in Angola.
The Republic of Angola is a country located in Southern Africa that borders the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Zambia, and the Atlantic Ocean. Angola is the seventh largest country in Africa whose capital city is Luanda. The president of Angola is both the head of state and head of government after their constitution abolished the post of the prime minister. The president of Angola has all the executive authority as well as an extent of legislative powers meaning the president of Angola can govern the country by decree. Angola’s presidential position dates back to when Angola got its independence in 1975.
Read: POLITICAL HISTORY OF ANGOLA
POLITICAL INSTABILITY IN ANGOLA
Angola has a tumultuous political history. While the country was a Portuguese colony, many of the country’s inhabitants once were sold to Brazil as enslaved people. Following this, it plunged into a 14-year guerrilla war. There was also a civil war of main ethnic groups lasting 16 years and finally a peace agreement was reached. The 1991 elections were disputed and renewed conflict was rekindled 18 months later. The civil war in Angola lasted 27 years and peace was reached in 2002. The country has been ravaged with war with numerous landmines plated across the country. Although Angola is an oil rich country, it is one of the poorest countries in the world with a life expectancy of 40 years, the lowest in Africa.
PRESIDENTS OF ANGOLA SINCE 1975
The following is a list of presidents of Angola since the establishment of the office in 1975. The current president is João Lourenço, who assumed the office on 26 September 2017.
