Angola, Prospects for Durable Peace and Economic Reconstruction


Book Description

Angola, prospects for durable peace and economic reconstruction : hearing before the Subcommittee on Africa of the Committee on International Relations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventh Congress, second session, June 13, 2002.



















The Impasse of Post-Conflict Reconstruction


Book Description

Angola has experienced 41 years of violent conflict, including 14 years in its struggle for independence and 27 years of political fighting between national belligerents largely supported by the Cold War geopolitical elephants of the United States and the Soviet Union. The end of violent armed conflict in 2002 gave hope that the government would finally achieve peace and that the majority of the population would benefit. Instead, we are witnessing an era of economic growth and modernization of some urban infrastructures, but not the uplifting of human development that benefits the welfare of the people. An incredible amount of research and preparation went into this book. The findings show that the fight against poverty in post-conflict Angola requires tackling the political problem of the dominant ruling party as well as undemocratic state leadership that would inspire true democracy. What is at stake in Angola is also at stake elsewhere in Africa. Francisco Ngongo is an Angolan who has lived abroad in Africa and Europe, first as a refugee, and then as a student and on international staff.He hold a PhD from the peace studies department of the School of Social and International Studies, University of Bradford, UK. His work experience is in the field of peace building, development and policy influencing. His vision is to contribute to the building of institutions for sustainable development, peace and good governance in Africa. Publisher's Website: http: //sbpra.com/FranciscoNgong




Angola


Book Description

After more than twenty years of devastating civil war, Angola is slowly moving toward peace and reconciliation. In this accessible introduction to one of the most resource-rich countries in Africa, Inge Tvedten traces Angola’s turbulent past with a particular focus on the effects of political and economic upheaval on the Angolan people. First, Tvedten reviews five centuries of Portuguese colonial rule, which drained Angola’s resources through slavery and exploitation. Next, he turns to the postindependence period, during which the country became a Cold War staging ground and its attempts to democratize collapsed when the rebel movement UNITA (until then supported by the United States) took the country back to war after electoral defeat. Tvedten shows how the colonial legacy and decades of war turned Angola into one of the ten poorest countries in the world in terms of socioeconomic indicators, despite its possessing considerable oil resources, huge hydroelectric potential, vast and fertile agricultural lands, and some of Africa’s most productive fishing waters. Finally, Tvedten argues that peace and prosperity for Angola are possible, but constructive international support will be crucial to its achievement.







Angola


Book Description

He then turns to the postindependence period, in which the country became a Cold War staging ground, and its attempts to democratize collapsed when the rebel movement UNITA, supported by the United States, took the country back to war after electoral defeat. Tvedten shows how the colonial legacy and decades of war turned Angola into one of the ten poorest countries in the world, despite considerable oil resources, huge hydroelectric potential, vast and fertile agricultural lands, and some of Africa's most productive fishing waters.