Powersharing Transitional Government – 2002

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Powersharing Transitional Government – 2002

2002

Intermediate Implementation Intermediate implementation

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).1

Another report indicated that UNITA occupied four minister posts and seven deputy-minister posts.2

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.3

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.4

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 Samondo and Sikato appear to have been replaced by Hamukwaya and Antonio.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).”5

  1. “New Cabinet Formed in Angola,” Xinhua News Agency, April 10, 1997.
  2. “Roundup: Road to Peace in Angola Tortuous,” Xinhua News Agency, April 11, 1997.
  3. “Joint Press Conference With Russian Federation Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov and Angola’s Minister Of Foreign Affairs Venancio De Sylva Moura,” Official Kremlin Int’l News Broadcast, April 10, 1998.
  4. “Angola’s President Names New Prime Minister, Reshuffles Cabinet,” Agence France Presse, December 6, 2002.
  5. “Finance Minister Ousted in Angolan Cabinet Shake-Up,” World Markets Analysis, December 9, 2002.