In depth

João Lourenço’s Angola

Angolas President João Lourenço, who took over from José Eduardo dos Santos in 2017, has only one year left before he faces upcoming general elections. In this series, we examine the strengths and weaknesses of this ambitious head of state with a Herculean task ahead of him.

President of Angola Joao Lourenco attends a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin wall in Moscow, Russia,

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Herculean project

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Angola: Has President Lourenço delivered an ‘economic miracle’?

When João Lourenço’s took over as president, it marked a turning point in Angolan history. In September 2017, after 38 years of rule by José Eduardo dos Santos, he took the reins as president of Africa’s second biggest oil producer. And with that, inherited a Herculean project of turning around the country.

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tightrope act

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Angola’s President João Lourenço tries to pull off a tricky balancing act

With a year to go until Angola holds general elections, the country’s head of state is in a tight spot. At the helm of a crisis-plagued country and a divided ruling party, will President João Lourenço be able to keep the situation from spinning out of control?

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just crusade?

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Angola: Is Lourenço using his anti-corruption fight to settle scores?

On the campaign trail, Angola's João Lourenço had promised a stark break with the Dos Santos era. But since taking over the presidency, his anti-corruption crusade has proven extremely difficult to execute and has given rise to tensions. Not to mention, the whole thing could backfire.

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shaking up

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Lourenço’s Angola: The winners, the losers and the escape artists

João Lourenço’s ascension to the presidency put an end to the influence of Isabel dos Santos, Manuel Vicente and General Kopelipa, yet other figures had managed to stay put after a regime change. Read on for a quick overview of the post-Dos Santos political landscape.

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grumbles growing

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President João Lourenço’s mission impossible: Fixing Angola’s economy

Elected president in 2017 on the promise of delivering an economic miracle, João Lourenço has faced challenges with regard to debt, privatisation, Covid-19. Not to mention intense criticism, even from within his own political party.

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cautious and pragmatic

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Angola: João Lourenço puts his stamp on Luanda’s diplomacy

Angola’s president has initiated a rebalancing of relations with China to the benefit of Europe and the United States, while maintaining the country’s regional influence.

The In Depth Collection

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