Advancing Political Competition and Consensus Building in

UNCLAS LUANDA 000037


USAID FOR AFR AND DCHA/DG/EPP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM EAID KDEM AO

SUBJECT: Advancing Political Competition and Consensus Building in
Angola

REF: 08 LUANDA 0977


1. Summary. With its first parliamentary election in 16 years
completed and its presidential and municipal elections still to
come, post-civil war Angola is in the midst of a transition toward
participatory democracy. USG assistance has played an important
supporting role in the process thus far, and we must continue do so.
A key unknown is whether the presidential elections, scheduled for
this year, will be direct (popular vote) or indirect (vote by the
National Assembly). Our FY 2009 democracy assistance proposals
accordingly focus on key factors independent of the form of
presidential elections: elections infrastructure, the newly elected
parliament, civil society, and independent media. Our total FY 2009
funding needs in the "Political Competition and Consensus-Building"
program area are USD 3.1 million. The FY 2009 USAID Congressional
Budget Justification for Angola in this area is USD 2.6 million;
post seeks Department assistance in identifying a source for an
additional USD 500,000. End Summary.


2. Angola is at a democratic crossroads. With decades of civil war
ended, the country held its first parliamentary elections in
September 2008, 16 years after the last elections. Although the
elections were marred by logistical and other problems, particularly
in Luanda, voter turnout was high (87%). The results strongly
favored the ruling MPLA - which won 82 percent of the vote - due to
a campaign environment that favored the Government and a weak and
disorganized opposition. Nevertheless, the elections were peaceful
and credible, and the opposition accepted the results.


3. The country is now in the process of determining the nature and
timing of presidential elections. A commission of parliament will
begin work on drafting a new constitution starting on January 15.
Expectations are that elections will take place in 2009 following
this exercise. Meanwhile, the Government has embarked on a
decentralization exercise, which is expected to lead to Angola's
first ever municipal elections in 2010.


4. The USG has been a significant player in the democratization
process thus far. In the lead-up to the 2008 elections, we provided
assistance to the National Electoral Commission (CNE) through IFES,
the only outside organization invited by the Angolan Government to
assist. IFES focused on logistics in the provinces, where voting
went smoothly. We also worked with political parties and NGOs in
support of domestic observation and civic education efforts. All
together, we trained some 59,000 individuals in preparation for the
elections.


5. Regardless of the type of elections that are held, USG support
will be critical. Although we will continue to support the CNE, a
key pillar in the country's democratic infrastructure, we will also
reinforce elements that serve as a counterbalance to the powerful
executive and enhance pluralism. Parliament will be a new partner.
The newly elected parliament, although dominated by the ruling
party, seeks to play its rightful role as a check and balance to the
presidency. Parliament is also the only government institution
where the opposition retains an official position. Also, we will
support civil society, whose role has become more important
following the electoral setback of the opposition. Finally, we will
find ways to level the political playing field through support to
the independent media.


6. Our specific proposals include:

National Election Commission
--------------

In the 2008 legislative elections, the CNE, with USAID support,
focused on the logistical challenges of organizing polling stations
in the interior, where the elections ran relatively well.
Insufficient attention was given to the requirements of the urban
sprawl that is Luanda; this resulted in delays in opening polling
stations and other anomalies that tarnished the image of an
otherwise generally well-run election. Assistance in 2009 aims to
reinforce the CNE's systems and procedures, address its
organizational structure and regulatory framework, and strengthen
its technical expertise to overcome the logistical weaknesses of the
2008 elections. If presidential elections are direct and take place
this year, the CNE will be stretched to the limit, and our
assistance would be essential to a democratic outcome. Absent such
direct elections, the CNE will be preparing for municipal elections
next year, elections that will be unprecedented in Angola and for
which careful preparation is essential. Estimated Cost: $1
million.

Support to Parliament
--------------

Most members of the recently-installed National Assembly are new to
parliament and have limited understanding of their responsibilities.
Nevertheless, the new parliament has organized standing committees,
which have already begun hearing hours of testimony from sitting
ministers, who are subjected to pointed questions from committee
members. US support in this area would enable new parliamentarians
to research legislative issues and reach out to constituents and
civil society organizations. In addition to technical assistance,
support would strengthen parliamentary committees' research capacity
by providing reference documentation for the parliamentary library.
Estimated Cost: $800,000.

Support to Civil Society
--------------

Civil society is still nascent in Angola. Continued support is
required to help civil society constructively engage the new
parliament, government in general, and other relevant stakeholders.
Civil society must enhance its advocacy skills on such key issues as
constitutional reform, electoral reform -- which includes municipal
elections -- and reform of the media and NGO laws. Funds would also
support the National Platform, the umbrella organization of Angolan
electoral networks, in continuing to promote democratic
participation by civil society and the Angolan people in the
electoral process. Estimated Cost: $900,000.


Support for a Free and Independent Press
--------------

The effective oversight of democratic institutions in Angola's
consolidating democracy depends on a free and vibrant press.
Angolan media, however, are almost entirely controlled and financed
by the government, the ruling party and powerful private interests.
The few independent news sources that exist in Luanda regularly lose
talent to better-funded private companies or government media.
Their financial limitations also translate into inadequate equipment
and infrastructure. Angola's media law makes it nearly impossible
for the country's approximately 10-12 million inhabitants living
outside Angola's capital to access independent news. US support
would enable independent media to expand its coverage of election
issues, policy, and political platforms outside the capital and
finance a study and symposium to explore how independent information
can reach the provinces within the framework of the existing Angolan
media law. Estimated Cost: $400,000.


7. These proposals - intended to help shape the electoral
environment, level the playing field, and reinforce participatory
democracy in a key regional power - will require additional
resources. The USAID Congressional Budget Justification for FY 2009
includes a request for $2.6 million in the "Political Competition
and Consensus-Building" program area. The above request totals $3.1
million. Post seeks Department assistance in locating additional
sources of funding for our FY 2009 democratization program.

MOZENA