Angola government reshuffle
2010-11-21 22:40
Luanda - Oil-rich Angola announced a government reshuffle on Sunday, which saw the dismissal of the ministers of foreign and urban affairs as well as the capital's governor, state media reported.
"The president of the republic Jose Eduardo dos Santos intends to proceed with the dismissal of the minister of foreign affairs, as well as the minister of urban affairs and the governor of Luanda," according to a presidential statement quoted by official Jornal de Angola newspaper.
Assuncao dos Anjos was dismissed as foreign minister for personal reasons, believed to be ill health.
Angolan economist Vicente Pinto de Andrade told AFP that the shake-up was an attempt by the president to sidestep blame for a lack of progress in the southwest African country since elections two years ago.
The reshuffle is the second in a month. In October, Eduardo dos Santos installed new ministers of economy and interior, as well as a new central bank governor and army chief of staff.
- SAPA