The Logic of Democracy in Angola

I am reading this and I can’t believe it. So I read it again: “When people, including some politicians, say that there is a dictatorial regime in Angola, this is not true”, says Paulo de Carvalho, professor of the Faculty of Social Science of the Agostinho Neto University, in Luanda. 

Angolan Regime Lays 11 Charges against Journalist

The journalist and human rights defender Rafael Marques de Morais has been summoned for questioning on Tuesday 23 July by Angola’s National Directorate of Investigation and Penal Action (DNIAP), for a record total of eleven charges brought against him simultaneously.

by Maka Angola – July 20, 2013

Angolans protesting disappearances attacked, detained

Angolan authorities forcibly broke up a peaceful protest on May 27, 2013, denouncing the enforced disappearance of two activists a year ago, Human Rights Watch said. Human Rights Watch also expressed concern at the lack of a credible investigation into the disappearances.

Angolan president named in graft deal

An anti-graft body says it has new evidence that Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos received millions in kickbacks in the late 1990’s, part of an allegedly dodgy debt repayment deal between Angola and Russia.

Blood Diamonds: Angolan Generals Sue Journalist and Publisher

Eight Angolan generals, acting as private prosecutors, have filed a suit for damages, in Portugal, against Angolan journalist and human rights defender Rafael Marques and his publisher Tinta-da-China. The generals are seeking 300,000 euros (almost US $390,000) in damages for libel and defamation.

Calls for Angola to Investigate Abuse of Congolese Migrants

The Angolan government is being urged to carry out a thorough and independent investigation into allegations of sexual and physical abuse by its security forces against Congolese migrants.  In a 50-page report released on Monday, May 21, entitled “If You Come back We Will Kill You”, New York-based lobby group Human Rights Watch (HRW) documents chilling testimonies of men and women who entered Angola illegally to work. [By Louise Redvers, JOHANNESBURG, May 21, 2012 IPS news]

Angola’s Police Silence the Media

LUANDA, Mar 13, 2012 (IPS) – Rights groups and activists are warning of a rapidly deteriorating political climate in Angola following a police raid on a private newspaper and a violent crackdown on anti-government protests. On the morning of Mar. 12, 20 computers were seized from the offices of the outspoken Folha 8, one of Angola’s few remaining private publications that is critical of the government, under a warrant investigating “crimes of outrage against the state” and violations of press freedom.