The President of Angola is both the head of state and head of government. Since the 2010 constitution, there has been no prime minister, and the president has executive and some legislative powers, including the ability to govern by decree.
The position started when Angola gained independence from Portugal, with Agostinho Neto becoming the first president. After Neto died in 1979, José Eduardo dos Santos took over.
In 2021, the constitution set a two-term limit for the president. João Lourenço is the current president, having taken office on September 26, 2017, after winning the election.
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Complete List Of Presidents Of Angola Since Independence
No | Name | Tenure | Political Party | Time In Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Agostinho Neto | 11 November 1975 – 10 September 1979 | MPLA | 3 years, 303 days |
2 | José Eduardo dos Santos | 21 September 1979 – 27 August 1992 | MPLA | 12 years, 341 days |
3 | José Eduardo dos Santos | 27 August 1992 – 25 September 2017 | MPLA | 25 years, 29 days |
4 | João Lourenço | 26 September 2017 – Present | MPLA | 7 years, 99 days |
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Who Was The First President Of Angola?
Agostinho Neto, born on September 17, 1922, in Ícolo e Bengo, Angola was the first president of Angola. Neto was a prominent figure in Angola’s fight for independence from Portugal.
He studied medicine in Portugal, but his time there was also seen in political activism. Neto was arrested multiple times by the Portuguese government for his opposition to colonial rule.
But, Neto continued his work and later became a key leader in the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), a group that fought for Angola’s independence.
When Angola gained its independence on November 11, 1975, after years of conflict, Agostinho Neto became the country’s first president.
He led Angola during a very challenging time, as the country was still dealing with civil unrest and political struggles. Neto’s leadership saw Angola move toward a one-party system, with the MPLA as the dominant political force.
His government was aligned with communist countries, particularly the Soviet Union and Cuba, and he supported Marxist-Leninist ideology.
Neto was not only known for his political leadership but also his literary work.He was a poet and his writings played part in Angola’s cultural identity.
His poems were often about hope, freedom, and the struggle against oppression. Some of his poems became national anthems, and his literary achievements earned him recognition beyond Angola.
Neto’s presidency was affected by a difficult civil war that continued even after the country gained independence. His health began to decline in the late 1970s due to cancer, and he passed away on September 10, 1979, just a week before his 57th birthday.
His death was a big loss for Angola, but his legacy lives on. Today, Agostinho Neto is remembered as a national hero in Angola, and his birthday is celebrated as National Heroes Day in the country.
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Who Is The Current President Of Angola?
João Lourenço is the current President of Angola. He became president on September 26, 2017, after winning the 2017 election. Lourenço also served as the Minister of Defense from 2014 to 2017.
He is a member of the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), the political party that has been in power in Angola since the country gained independence from Portugal in 1975.
Lourenço took over from José Eduardo dos Santos, who had been president for 38 years. Lourenço was born on March 5, 1954, in Lobito, Angola, and grew up in a family of ten children.
He had his education in Angola and later studied in the Soviet Union at the Lenin Military-Political Academy, where he learned about military strategy and history. Lourenço’s early career was in the military.
He joined the MPLA’s fight against Portuguese colonial rule during the Angolan War of Independence. After that, he played a part in the Angolan Civil War.
He later became involved in politics, working his way up through the MPLA ranks. Lourenço served in different positions, including Governor of Moxico Province and Secretary-General of the MPLA.
His political career took off when he was appointed Minister of Defense in 2014. In 2017, Lourenço was chosen to be the MPLA’s candidate for president.
The MPLA won the election, and he became president, succeeding José Eduardo dos Santos. Lourenço has improved Angola’s political system and addressed social issues.
He made notable changes, such as legalizing the first LGBT collective in Angola and changing laws to protect LGBT rights.
