At Pambazuka News Rafael Marques de Morais has a pretty savvy commentary on September's elections in Angola. A sample from the introduction:
I would like to share with you a perspective on the legislative elections that took place in Angola on 5 and 6 September 2008. These elections are of profound historical significance for both the country and for Africa. For Angola because they mean, first and foremost, the strengthening of peace and stability and, second, the normalisation of state institutions following a 16-year hiatus between the country's first and second elections.
The government of Angola, through the voices of the president and other high ranking officials, has reiterated on various occasions that these elections would and have been an example for Africa. Indeed, after the troublesome elections in Kenya and Zimbabwe, and given Angola's own past experience of returning to war after the 1992 elections, these proved an outstanding case.
By referring to the official results of the 2008 elections and their organisation, I shall try to answer two questions: Were these elections about democracy? And what lessons can the Angolan elections provide in the African context?
The article provides sound insight both into what bodes well in Angola and where more work needs to be done, and in so doing avoids the pitfalls of both Afropessimism and rose-colored optimism.
