US observers in Angola for poll

2008-08-28 21:21

Luanda - Forty US observers will monitor the landmark September 5 parliamentary poll in Angola in what the US ambassador Dan Mozena said on Thursday could be a model for the continent.

"From what we have seen until now, through the electoral registration process, Angola's legislative election has a potential to be a model for the coming elections in Africa if all the actors continue to play their part," Mozena told radio Ecclesia.

"There are a lot of expectations in relation to this election. We hope that the legislative election in Angola will be peaceful and credible," he said.

The US observers will join around 100 EU election monitors already in the country.

Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos told a public rally last Friday that the country's first elections in 16 years heralded "a new era for democracy".

The landmark election is the country's first organised ballot since 1992, when the polls were held during a lull in the 27-year civil war, between the then Unita (Union for the Total Independence of Angola) rebel movement and government forces. The war ended in 2002.

The ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), in power since independence 33 years ago, will compete in the election against 13 coalitions and political parties including the main opposition Unita.

A total of 5 198 candidates will contest 220 parliamentary seats, with more than eight million Angolans registered to vote.

Presidential elections are scheduled for 2009.

- AFP