Angola & Cabinda (catch all)

[Misifus]

Another exercise in Western-style Intellectualism. This is precisely what got Angola into trouble in the first place. What are we proposing in this thread? The right to go save the place?

Gringo go home. Leave them alone, they are making progress in their own way.

[davidbfpo]

Another exercise in Western-style Intellectualism. This is precisely what got Angola into trouble in the first place. What are we proposing in this thread? The right to go save the place?

Gringo go home. Leave them alone, they are making progress in their own way.

This thread contains IIRC pointers to information on a country that rarely features in the media and no-one is proposing any course of action.

As for Angolans making progress, I certainly get the impression those in power are making plenty of progress, very few others are.

[Misifus]

...As for Angolans making progress, I certainly get the impression those in power are making plenty of progress, very few others are.

Not true. They are making progress at their pace, which is sufficient for them. I've been there much. Angola and Cabinda. I think that was in my earlier posts from a few years back.

[davidbfpo]

Angola – where oil accounts for nearly half of GDP, more than two-thirds of government revenue and nearly 98% of export earnings – has an estimated break-even oil price of around US$110 per barrel, and is expected to run a budget deficit of at least 7% of GDP in 2015, despite drastically cutting its 2015 expenditure plans. Luanda is currently attempting to issue debt to global investors to fund its budget deficit. But with increased investor risk aversion due to a more uncertain global economic outlook, emerging-market borrowers – already squeezed by exchange-rate depreciation – are likely to incur higher premiums, making hard-currency debt all the more expensive to service. Meanwhile, Angola’s already impoverished general population has experienced severe shortages in food and medicine, prompting public displays of anti-government sentiment despite notoriously unforgiving security forces. Popular discontent is seen as a factor in President Jose Eduardo dos Santos’s surprise announcement earlier this month that he would step down in 2018 after 37 years as head of state.

Taken from an IISS Strategic Comment email.

[davidbfpo]

Or keep it in the family:

At the helm of this African oil giant, is President Jose Eduardo dos Santos. A man who has led Angola for the past 37 years and made his country a beacon of hope for others held back by poor infrastructural development. He has declared his intention to stand down from office after elections next year. Stepping down would seem to indicate a loosening of his grip on power and a change of direction, but the appointment of his daughter to a top job, suggests otherwise.
Isabel dos Santos, the richest woman in Africa, has just been named president of the state oil giant Sonangol. She has a reputation as a slick operator, has interests that range from telecoms, real estate and diamonds and is considered as an accomplished businesswoman in in her own right.

Link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-36520290