Angola: Access to Natural Resources and Simplified Contracting versus Maintaining the Status Quo at all Costs

By Serafim de Oliveira

By Serafim de Oliveira

Washington D.C — The secrecy involved in the simplified hiring and inauguration of government projects, considering their national ramifications, gives the impression that the ruling party funds all programs. Moreover, the inauguration celebrations highlight the political authority of the party-state machine. 

Similarly, the celebrations on the eve of the elections unequivocally unveil the marriage of convenience between political power and specific internal or external business markets. Moreover, these elaborate celebrations portend the costs and risks the government might be willing to extend. 

In many cases, though, when precisely in pursuit of promoting a good business environment, these contracts become a quid pro quo to cover up the gloomy realities of the country. Access to our mineral resources and fantastic business opportunities thus trump the principles of freedom, democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and respect for fundamental freedoms.

As a result, many of these contracts contribute to the hegemony enjoyed by the Party-state’s political, economic, and military power, which has consistently impeded civil participation in political decision-making and, consequently, the judicial system.

However, particular attention should go to the accumulation of the President of the Republic and the ruling party leader. Leaders serving in these roles have compromised the independent functioning of the national parliament and limited the ability of parliamentary committees to investigate and prosecute allegations of fraud and irregularities in trade agreements and other similar matters.

The country needs political compromise as quickly as possible, among all those involved in the upcoming elections, to mitigate the ruling party’s power in our state structures.

In addition, these contracts should not be power exchanges for the signatories, who can then ignore the allegations of poor governance of natural and energy resources and police brutality against the defenseless citizens.

Serafim de Oliveira

Prof.kiluangenyc@yahoo.com

Washington D.C 

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