Expect More of the Same From Angolan Politics

Angola's ruling party is preparing to go into its August congress without a successor in place for President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who plans to step down in 2018. In March, dos Santos, the longtime leader of the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA,) affirmed his intention to retire, and he has hinted at the possibility of not running for re-election in 2017. The announcement by dos Santos, who has ruled Angola with an iron grip since 1979, came as a surprise to many. But in all likelihood, his departure will not have much of an effect on Angolan politics. The ruling MPLA has already begun the long and arduous process of finding him a suitable replacement who will guarantee that the country's status quo -- and the party's place within it -- remains unchanged. ...