Free and fair? Angola’s uneven election playing field

Election observer mission recommendations haven’t been implemented by the MPLA-led government that controls electoral and political levers of power.

On 24 August 2022, Angolans will vote in the country’s fifth democratic and multiparty elections. The government of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), in power since independence in 1975, faces serious opposition. Nevertheless, the highly uneven political landscape still favours the ruling party. Free, fair and credible polls will depend on the implementation of the Southern African Development Community’s principles and guidelines.

About the author

Borges Nhamirre is a researcher with more than 15 years of experience in governance, elections and security studies. He has a degree in international relations and diplomacy from the High Institute of International Relations, Maputo, and a law degree from Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo. Nhamirre is a Research Consultant with the Institute for Security Studies, Pretoria.

Image: Amelia Broodryk/ISS