One party rule

The ruling party looks set to win again at the parliamentary elections which are due to be held in September. Strikingly, nearly one in five Angolans belongs to the governing party, the MPLA. Nevertheless, voters will expect it to explain why the general public has not benefited from the vast wealth that is arriving as Angola takes over from Nigeria as Africa's leading oil producer.

In power since 1992, the Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola is at least sure of its ability to deliver peaceful polls. Even the main opposition party (the MPLA's rival in war and now junior partner in government), the União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola, believes that. So does the Catholic Church, which is working with the authorities to complete the disarmament process. The army, meanwhile, threatens instant action against anyone tempted to resort to violence.

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