AFRICA/ANGOLA - “Elections? Perhaps in 2006”. Angola’s arduous journey to democracy

Luanda (Fides Service)- “There is no date, but Angola should hold its first elections in peacetime in 2006” a local church source in the Angolan capital Luanda which still bears the signs of 25 years of civil war which ended in 2002, told Fides.
“Parliament is debating an electoral law and a census, indispensable conditions for elections” the source told Fides. The census and the ensuing registration of voters is the greatest obstacle to elections, due to the size of the country and the state of its infrastructures damaged by war. Another problem are thousands of returning refugees or displaced persons who have no identification papers and this is why some opposition members want registration of voters done by international organisations.
“At the political level the discussion has been whether to hold the elections before or after the promulgation of a new constitution” the sources told Fides. “After heated argument between majority and opposition, grouped around former UNITA rebels, an agreement was reached to hold elections before the revision of the Constitution”.
“However one positive thing is that the international community intends to continue its pressure to guarantee the elections are held” the source told Fides.
The social and economic situation in Angola is very difficult. “Most Angolans live below the poverty line. The government’s rebuilding programme started but still exists mainly only on paper” the source told Fides. “However something is moving in the private sector, mobile telephones for example, although here too contradictions are not lacking. Many Angolans buy mobile phones but cannot afford to use them. On the street people are always stopping you asking to borrow your mobile”. (L.M.) (Fides Service 21/1/2005 righe 33 parole 400)