The following are the prepared remarks for the speech delivered by Josefina Pitra Diakité, the Ambassador of Angola to the United States, at the Conversation and Dinner with African Ambassadors hosted by the Africa Society in Washington DC on 20 May 2008.
Good evening,
Honorable Richard Lugar, Honorable Donald Payne, Excellencies, dear colleges, Ladies and gentlemen,
Let me start by thanking Africa Society and the co-hosts, the Honorable Senator Richard Lugar and Honorable Congressman Donald Payne for making this event possible. I congratulate you for this great initiative, which constitutes an opportunity to discuss matters of common interest and deepening relations between the US and Africa in general, in this case, Angola in particular.
Special thanks go to my friend Bernadette Paolo for organizing and coordinating The National Summit on Africa Conversation and Dinner with African Ambassador Series.
It is a pleasure to take part in this forum to share information about my country, with such distinct participants and friends. I am confident that this event will contribute to a better understanding of the current political and economic reality in Angola, as an additional building block in strengthening our relations.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Angola is a post-conflict country and the signing of the Peace Agreement on April 4, 2002 represented a watershed change in the life of all Angolans, giving the possibilities of returning to their places of origin, resuming regular activities, and reuniting with family¸ neighbors and friends.
Angola continues to be influenced by the history of protracted civil war. The personal stories of most Angolans are dominated by memories of war-associated loss and insecurity. An important part of this collective memory is having had expectations of peace dashed when the 1992 elections triggered a return to violence.
Angola today enjoys a unique moment in its history. The destructive armed conflict, which left deep scars in its productive and human structure, which hindered Angola's social and economic development for almost four decades, angolans finally found in 2002 the path that leads to Peace and Security: two fundamental requirements for sustained development. Conditions now have been established in Angola to continuously build – on a solid foundation – a democratic state based on rule of law and a strong and sustainable economy.
Over the past three years, the Angolan government has taken concrete steps in preparation for elections. The issue of timing the elections needed more in-depth considerations. The timetable of the government of Angola includes various, stages, such as:
1. Relocation of Internally Displaced People
More than two million internally displaced persons, approximately 50 percent of the originally displaced population, have returned to their areas of origin or to resettlement sites.
The Government succeeded in reintegrating 100,000 former UNITA soldiers and more than 300,000 family members.
Also, 360,000 of the 450,000 Angolan refugees from the neighboring countries have been repatriated.
2. Demining:
Land mines have been one of the government's top priorities in the post-conflict era. The maiming of innocent people, which hinder the free movement of people and goods is critical for the electoral process as well as economic development. As proof of its commitment, in 2001, the government created the Inter-Sectoral Commission on Demining and Humanitarian Assistance (CNIDAH) to be responsible for policy-making, coordination of mine action and victim assistance, and the design of a new National Mine Action Plan.
3. Legal basis
An important electoral legislation package was passed by the Angolan National Assembly, which includes the electoral law, the law on political parties, the political parties funding law, the electoral registration law, the law of electoral observer as well as, the law on right of access to the media focusing on time allocation and the law on national code of broadcasting services.
4. Electoral Bodies
The National Electoral Commission (NEC) was appointed and charged with monitoring the electoral process and ensuring its integrity according to the law. The NEC has eleven (11) widely respected members, is chaired by a Judge from Supreme Court Justice and includes representatives from the ruling party, opposition parties, and the Government. Local units of the NEC have been set up in every province and most municipalities.
The Inter-ministerial Commission for Electoral Processes (CIPE) was also been established, to create logistical and operational conditions for NEC to implement the electoral process, and is overseen by the Ministry of Territorial Administration.
The registration period is coming to a close. The process was expected to register 7.5 million voters, but to date 8.5 million voters are registered. The current and last phase is, expected to register about 350.000 more voters.
Parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place in September 2008 and presidential elections in mid 2009. President Jose Eduardo dos Santos reafirmed recently that conditions are now in place for the country to hold efficient, fair and transparent elections.
In order to avoid the unfortunate aftermath of 1992 elections, which led to the tragic return to war, that caused psychological trauma of associating elections and war among the population, guided the Government in its carefully approach toward the preparations of the current electoral process, which includes actions such as, to name a few:
Have technical consultations with electoral officials of other countries.
Closely monitoring election awareness trough civic education programs.
The Presidents appeal for tolerance and civil debate.
Providing accurate information for the public, with the assistance of the national media in close cooperation with the political parties, local traditional and religious authorities and other social partners.
Civil disarmament and destruction of weapons. The Ministry of Interior is conducting a campaign do disarm the civilian population, a process which, is going quite well.
Training and capacity building programs for electoral officials at the national, provincial and community level.
On political front, I would like to underscore that democracy is a process, so, organization of any electoral process is a complex process for any post-conflict country, particularly Angola in facing interaction of competing interests represented by the agents of the state, political groupings, and the multitude of formal and informal relationships and intermediary organizations of civil society. While the ultimate success of the process depends on the good will and ability of these forces to communicate with each other, it is ultimately the responsibility of the state to provide the overall framework, within which, these interactions take place and the implementation resources.
Despite this complexity, I am proud to reiterate that my Government is strongly committed to the forthcoming national elections, as a unique opportunity to deepen the democratic process in keeping with the periodic constitutional legitimization of power.
Recent economic developments
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have referred specifically to elections-related areas of progress, but there is much more. The growth of the economy and the reconstruction efforts are success stories in their own right.
Angola is a country with vast natural and human resources and great potential for economic development and prosperity. Now, after six years of the end of a devastating civil war with a span of nearly four decades, Angola is beginning to rebuild its tattered infrastructure and institutions.
Angolans faces the future with optimism. Fears have dissipated, tensions have been reduced, and peace has fostered hope for angolans to fulfill dreams they could not have dreamt of before. The new era has finally, ushered the country into a position to exploit the tremendous potential of its natural and human resources - which affords it to have reconstruction as a priority.
In addition to demobilizing ex-combatants and resettling almost four million displaced Angolans, the Angolan government has implemented a national plan for addressing the nation's other pressing concerns, such as, political and social-economic stability, in particular increase the level of health and education, as an engine for sustainable economic development.
The results to date are impressive. Recent economic performance continues to be strong, with both the oil and non-oil economy performing well. GDP grew to 23.4% in real terms in 2007 and the growth of 19% is estimated for 2008.
Now the second largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa after Nigeria, Angola will have to adjust its oil production to the quota established forehead by OPEC from January 2008 onwards, one year after it joined the organisation. But the quota - set at 1.9m b/d - is close to current production levels and just slightly under the estimated output at the end of 2007. Three new oil fields are expected to go into production in 2008, with an additional annual oil production forecast at 711m barrels.
Oil production increased 13% as new deepwater oilfields came on line and diamond production rose due to increased output of kimberlite mines.
Despite simultaneous drought and floods conditions in some provinces, agricultural value added increased by 8% due to an increase in the cultivated area. Ongoing construction to rehabilitate and modernize infrastructure benefited the manufacturing sector, which grew by double digits.
Inflation has been decreasing sharply, assisted by increased food supplies, since 2002, from 100% to 12% in 2006. Similar average rate in 2007. At this rate of economic growth, government projects inflation rate to be 10% by 2009.
The budget for 2008, approved in October 2007, included spending for legislative and presidential elections set to take place in 2008 and 2009. In spite of the current economic growth, much remains to be accomplished. Some of the main challenges now facing Angola are improving infrastructure and creating conditions for the economy to diversify, as well as reducing and erradicating poverty. The infraestructure projects includes reabilitation and reconstruction of roads, railroads, bridges, hospitals, schools, sanitation and potable water systems, among others.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In order to mitigate the outlined challenges, the Angolan government has adopted a vision that allows it to act with the understanding that the future will bring profound transforming changes in the improvements of the lives of its population. The country's reconstruction efforts are currently being achieved despite the reluctance of international financial institutions and other sectors of the international community to provide funding. This situation has led to greater levels of cooperation with advanced developing countries, such as China, India, Brazil, among others. In the meantime, the rigorous measures that the Angolan government has gradually taken, especially decisions made regarding balancing acts of macroeconomic nature, coupled with additional considerations such as a review of taxes levied on customs and the creation of incentives for foreign investments, are all part of a new reality that is tangible in Angola.
The Government of Angola, is cognissant of the importance of good governance for the sustainability of economic and social stability. Furthermore, recently, Angola has been considered by many of its partners as a country in constant transformation and committed to its reconstruction and democracy.
International Role
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the late 21st Century, everyone agrees that peace is much more than non- existence of armed conflict. Peace cannot exist outside a frame of social welfare, harmony and justice. So, it is not possible to speak about peace without speaking about democracy, access to culture, respect for human rights and sustainable development. On the other hand, these desirable conditions are, together with globalization and cooperation, the marks of modern life, the cornerstone for the construction of a better world for all peoples.
Despite Angola's civil war, it is worthy mentioning the stabilizing role it played in the struggle for independency of its neighbors, namely Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa; more recently, in the Great Lakes Conflict, in particular in Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo.
For too many years war prevented Angola from fully assuming a role as a regional and international player and economic power house. But that page has turned, Angola's return to the international stage is visible:
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
In the United Nation, it was elected as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2003, member of ECOSOC (2005), member of Peacebuilding Commission (2006) and member of Council of Human Rights(2006).
Angola supports the Security Council Resolution against international terrorism and cooperates militarily with other countries to meet the resolution objectives.
In the African Union, member of the Peace and Security Council
In SADC, Presidency of Security and Defense Policy Organ.
It is a member of Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC)
The Gulf of Guinea Commission is sponsored by Angola for the period of a year and its Headquarter is located in our capital city – Luanda.
As an African nation, emerging from almost 30 years of civil war, Angola has substantial interest in having effective mechanisms for multilateral cooperation that complement its bilateral and regional relationships.
We trust and expect that Angola's peace dividend will include a significant contribution to greater economic prosperity and stability in the region and beyond.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Angola and USA Bilateral Relations
I would be remiss without reference, even briefly, regarding Angola – US bilateral relations.
After 15 years of formal diplomatic relations with the United States of America - formally established on May 19, 1993 – I am pleased to report that significant benchmarks have been achieved and our bilateral relations are very positive and on the right course.
As we all are aware, Angola, throughout the duration of the armed conflict did not stop supplying oil to the United States –and today provides 10% of the US needs; with the peace it now enjoys, will continue to be a significant energy security partner of the US.
Looking ahead, we hope for effective collaboration with the Congress and wish to arrange a CODEL (Congressional Delegation) to Angola in the near future, in order to witness in loco the "New Angola", for a picture is worth a million words.
Equally it gives me pleasure to announce a visit by the Angolan National Assembly Parliamentarians to the United States of America next month.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In conclusion, I would like to share that in the next few years Angola has the potential to become a completely transformed country, but, for this to be realized the government, civil society, the private sector and international partners must work together. We have the political will and visionary leadership to move forward. We count on continued cooperation with distinguished partners such as gathered here tonight.
I thank you all.
