Angola's Façade Democracy

Following the Angolan ruling party's crushing defeat of the opposition in the first postwar elections, held in September 2008, the Movement for the Total Liberation of Angola (MPLA) has proceeded to consolidate in the last year its hegemonic rule in the country, effectively giving rise to another African hybrid regime. The regime's security and financial apparatus and national institutions have since been further molded to serve the Presidency and the military and business elites. Having acquired its democratic credentials and secure of the strength of its relevance in the international petroleum arena, Luanda has transformed a once failed state into a reformed autocracy.