Powersharing Transitional Government – 2008

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The last story to mention Manuel Africano was in May of 2008, the year that the MPLA swept the elections. The post-election list of cabinet members had Jose Maria Botelho de Vasconcelos replacing Africano.1

On 21 September 2008, the Angolan Parliament voted and approved the abolishment of the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation (GURN).2

Powersharing Transitional Government – 2004

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In October of 2004, the president of UNITA gave a speech in Luanda and talked of his concern over the insufficient appointments made by the President in regards to UNITA members in the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation (GURN). Specifically, he called for “the replacement of nine of his members, instead of only three carried out by the Head of State.” It was mentioned in the story that President Dos Santos sent a letter to UNITA headquarters reassuring them that he would keep Albertina Hamukwaya in the cabinet; no other names were mentioned.3

In December of 2004, Jorge Valentim was replaced by Eduardo Chingunji, Albertina Hamukwaya (mentioned previously) was replaced by Sebastiao Veloso, and Hossi was replaced by Muafumua. All appeared to be MPLA members, not UNITA members. Chingunji later contributed to a book on the success of the MPLA. By the end of 2004, only Manuel Africano (Geology and Mines) was listed as a UNITA representative in the cabinet.4 We consider this a reversal of the powersharing arrangment.

Powersharing Transitional Government – 2002

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The 2002 Luena Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) calls for continuing and completing the implementation of the 1994 Lusaka protocol. The Lusaka protocol contained a powersharing provision stipulating that at least 11 top positions in particular ministries in the Angolan Government be reserved for UNITA officials. Powersharing began in 1997.

On 10 April 1997, President Dos Santos appointed his cabinet of 28 ministers into the Government of National Unity and Reconciliation. According to the decree signed by the President, four of the 28 cabinet ministers were from the former rebel movement, the National Union for Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). They were the Minister of Geology and Mines, Marcos Samondo; the Health Minister, Anastacio Ruben Sikato; the Minister of Trade, Victorino Hossi; and the Minister of Hotels and Tourism, Jorge Valentim. The 24 other ministers were from President Dos Santos’ People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA).5

Another report indicated that UNITA occupied four minister posts and seven deputy-minister posts.6

The next year (1998), UNITA and the Angolan Government returned to civil war. During that period of renewed fighting, UNITA officials appear to have continuously held those reserved positions in the cabinet. In 1998, it was announced that 11 of the 32 top posts in government belonged to UNITA.7

On 4 April 2002, the Government and UNITA signed the Luena Memorandum of Understanding which reaffirmed and made some additions to the 1994 Lusaka Protocol. It was reported on 6 December 2002 that President Dos Santos was making changes to his cabinet but that UNITA officials would retain their reserved positions in accordance with the Lusaka Protocol.8

A story in December 2002 suggests that four UNITA officials remained in the cabinet, although two of the names have changed since the formation of the cabinet in 1997. Samondo and Sikato appear to have been replaced by Hamukwaya and Antonio. The report reads: “Four officials from the former UNITA have also been renamed in their previous posts – Albertina Hamukwaya (Health), Jorge Valentim (Hotels and Tourism), Manuel Antonio Africano (Geology and Mines) and Victorino Hossi (Commerce).”9

Cease Fire – 2011

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In April 2011, Angola celebrated almost a decade without civil war. In the six years following the 2002 peace deal, Angola’s GDP rose 260 percent with an annual growth rate of 14 percent.10