Short facts about the government of Angola

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

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 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)

Source: World Factbook