Hon. General Francisco Higino Lopes Carneiro

Minister of Public Works

Career: Brigadier General , Forcas Armadas Populares de Libertacao de Angola; government spokesman, 1994; Leader of MPLA delegation at the Joint Political-Military Comission, 1996; Deputy Territorial Administration Minister 1997-2002; Minister of Public Works, 2002-date; Senior Country Economist, World Bank Washington Country Office - Angola.

Often considered a political lightweight, despite his rank, Carneiro won credibility during the battle for Luanda, repeatedly touring in an armoured car to survey the damage. He was in talks with UNITA's Gen 'Ben-Ben' as the battle erupted. In the subsequent two days' fighting, he was key to negotiations to end the violence. Gen. Carneiro was more conciliatory towards Jonas Savimbi and UNITA than FAA Chief of Staff General Joao de Matos. Carneiro publicly differed with De Matos on security issues such as opening up Angola's road network and demolishing road blocks. He backed power-sharing in Luanda, offering Savimbi the Vice Presidency during the 1994-96 talks. But General Carneiro's influence on the military waned as De Matos asserted his authority. Carneiro has been known as a voice of compromise in the FAA.