• In 2011 President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, in power for 32 years, faced an unprecedented wave of criticism. Inspired by the pro-democracy Arab Spring movements, Angola witnessed an incipient movement of anti-government protests. In response, authorities used excessive force to crack down on the protests, most of which were organized via the internet, and curtailed media coverage of the demonstrations.

Reports

Angola

  • Jan 17, 2012

    The government of Angola should publicly disclose its efforts to trace tens of billions of dollars in missing public funds apparently connected to the state oil company, Sonangol, Human Rights Watch in an open letter to the country’s finance minister. In December 2011, the International Monetary Fund reported that there was an unexplained US$32 billion discrepancy in the Angolan government’s accounts from 2007 through 2010.

  • Jan 17, 2012

    The government of Angola should publicly disclose its efforts to trace tens of billions of dollars in missing public funds apparently connected to the state oil company, Sonangol. In December 2011, the International Monetary Fund reported that there was an unexplained US$32 billion discrepancy in the Angolan government’s accounts from 2007 through 2010.

  • Dec 20, 2011

    The government of Angola should promptly provide a full public accounting for US$32 billion in missing government funds thought to be linked to the state oil company. A December 2011 report by the International Monetary Fund revealed that the government funds were spent or transferred from 2007 through 2010 without being properly documented in the budget. The sum is equivalent to one-quarter of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

  • Dec 7, 2011
    The Angolan government should end its use of unnecessary force, including by plainclothes agents, against peaceful anti-government protests
  • Sep 14, 2011
    The Angolan authorities should immediately drop politically motivated charges against 18 people who were convicted after unfair trials for their participation in an anti-government demonstration in Luanda.
  • Sep 5, 2011
    The Angolan authorities should immediately end the use of unnecessary and disproportionate force against demonstrators. It should also ensure the protection of demonstrators and journalists covering anti-government protests against violence. More than 30 demonstrators arrested by the authorities are still being held incommunicado, their whereabouts unknown.
  • Aug 25, 2011
    The Angolan government should immediately take measures to protect the fundamental human rights of people forcibly evicted to make way for public infrastructure projects.
  • Aug 16, 2011
    Angola, the incoming chair of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), should allow regional civil society debate and media coverage of the SADC summit meeting that began in Luanda on August 16, 2011.
  • Aug 11, 2011
    With the 2011 Ordinary Summit of Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government scheduled for August 16 and 17 in Luanda, Angola, these questions and answers are provided to shed more light on issues surrounding the effective suspension of the SADC Tribunal.
  • Aug 8, 2011
    Leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) should address the worrying human rights situations in Malawi, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, and Angola.