Angola’s New President: Reforming to Survive

Angola’s New President: Reforming to Survive

João Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola. (Photo: Jérémy Barande / Ecole polytechnique Université Paris-Saclay)

President Lourenço’s efforts to reform Angola have focused on fighting corruption and entrenched patronage networks after 37 years of rule of President Dos Santos. But campaigns to improve accountability and legitimacy of the state’s institutions have been unevenly implemented. The new President has succeeded in improving freedom of the press and in removing the former president’s inner circle, including his children, from their influential positions. But his moves to reform the security sector have been met with criticism and fear that they risk consolidating the ruling party’s control and reversing the progress made in integrating the former fighting factions into a unified, effective, force.

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Security Topics:  Security Sector Governance