Women gathering water - Angola. © Thomas Havisham (Panos)
Decades of conflict have taken a heavy toll on Angola’s economy, society and infrastructure, and it is now faced with the enormous challenge of rebuilding. Since the Luena Peace Accord was signed in 2002, ending the 27-year civil war, the government has committed substantial resources to reconstruction and resettlement.
Angola has the potential to be a thriving economy in western Africa, with the third largest gross domestic product (GDP) in the region, substantial and varied resources and railways and ports. However, although revenues from oil and diamonds have boosted the economy, extreme poverty is still a daily reality for more than a quarter of the population.
Parliamentary elections in September 2008 took place with no major incidents. The ruling MPLA party won with 81% of the vote, securing 191 places out of 220 in the Angolan parliament.