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José Eduardo dos Santos was born on August 28, 1942 in Angola's capital of Luanda. His political career began at an early age when he founded the youth organization within the MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola) in 1961 to help further Angola's struggle for independence. He was awarded a scholarship in 1963 to study in the Soviet Union where he received a degree in petroleum engineering. Upon graduation in 1969, he stayed in the Soviet Union to continue his studies in communications. In 1974, José Eduardo dos Santos was named Coordinator of the Foreign Affairs Department of the MPLA. He subsequently developed diplomatic activities in various African capitals to gain international support for MPLA efforts. Following Angolan independence on November 11, 1975, he was named Minister of Foreign Affairs. He continued to remain active in the MPLA party and contributed to the development of education, culture and reconstruction which led to his appointment as Minister of Planning in 197 8. José Eduardo dos Santos became President of the Popular Republic of Angola after the death of Agostino Neto in 1979. President dos Santos actively pursued national and international efforts to bring about peace in Angola. His involvement resulted in the successful withdrawal of South African forces from Angola, the repatriation of Cuban forces and the independence of Namibia. President dos Santos led Angola in a national transition towards democracy that included both political pluralism and the establishment of a market economy. President dos Santos signed the Bicesse Accords in 1991 which allowed for the country's first democratic elections in 1992. The President and his party won the election and the results were accredited by UN and international observers; however, UNITA contested the election results and the country returned to war. President dos Santos led the search for a negotiated settlement to end the fighting and destruction in Angola. Finally, through his political determination and with the combined mediation efforts of the United Nations, U.S., Russia and Portugal, the Angolan government and UNITA signed the Lusaka Protocol in November 1994. In 1995, the President has held three meetings with UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi in an effort to accelerate the peace process and restore trust and confidence among all Angolans. President dos Santos has also taken the lead in planning for the rebuilding of Angola. In September of 1995, he headed the Angolan delegation to an international Donor's Roundtable in Brussels to urge support for the national reconstruction program. The nearly $1 billion pledged by the international community reflects a level of confidence in the country and its leadership that is gratifying to a nation emerging from three decades of conflict. President dos Santos
abolished the death penalty. The Prime Minister Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos was born in 1952 in Luanda, Nandó holds a law bachelor degree from the Luanda-based "Agostinho Neto" University. In the colonial time was
compulsorily drafted into the colonial army, during which, due to his
ideals, was detained at the Command`s Instruction Centre, in Luanda, and
submitted to three interrogations. In consequence of this he abandoned the
army on 23 June, 1974.
Partial Composition of Government
The National Assembly is the highest governmental body in Angola and represents the sovereign will of the Angolan people. It promotes the implementation of the objectives of the state, legislates and makes decisions on basic questions relating to the State's life. The Assembly's jurisdiction includes making changes in the constitutional law, approving laws, the proposal of the Government, the National Plan and the general state budget. The National Assembly also monitors, at supreme level, the actions of the government and of the other State organs. The National Assembly also authorizes the government to contract and grant loans, approves international treaties, grants amnesties and authorizes the President to declare war and make peace. For a
complete list of the duties and responsibilities of the National Assembly,
see
the Angolan constitution.
The Council of the Republic The Council of the Republic is the political consultative body of the President of the Republic. The Council of the Republic is presided over by the President of the Republic and consists of the President of the National Assembly, the President of the Constitutional Court, the Attorney General, the former President of the Republic, the Presidents of the political parties represented in the National Assembly, and ten citizens appointed by the President. The Council of the Republic is the executive body of the National Assembly, and its work consists of guiding the State's entire administrative apparatus. The Council of the Republic provides its views on the dissolution of the National Assembly, the resignation of the government, the declaration of war and the making of peace and on acts of the interim President of the Republic.
Election Results, September 1992 Presidential Election Results
Legislative Election Results
Source: Conselho Nacional Eleitoral
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