Angola gears up for elections

Angolans will take to the polls on 23 August to elect a successor to current President Eduardo dos Santos following his 38-year rule over the resources-rich African nation. Seventy-four year old Dos Santos, who has ruled Angola since it became an independent state in 1979 announced late last year that he would not stand for re-election.

More than nine million Angolan voters, over 40 percent of the population, are registered to vote in August. This year’s elections are the most anticipated in years and are set to mark a new chapter for the country as Dos Santos hands over power. Angola suffered under a 26-year civil war but is hoping for a peaceful election in August.