‘Angolan voting in 2006’

Luanda – Angola’s first post-war elections will not be held before 2006, a senior official said Wednesday, despite growing calls from the opposition and donors for polls next year.

A free and fair poll is regarded by donors like the World Bank as crucial for Angola, where the ruling MPLA has been in power for almost three decades and stands accused of graft on a grand scale. “I can guarantee elections won’t take place before 2006,” the source from the presidency said, requesting anonymity.The government has been accused by the International Monetary Fund and human rights groups of creaming off billions of dollars from the country’s oil sector and analysts have said that as a result it is in no rush to face the electorate.A 27-year civil war in Angola between the government and the former rebel National Union for the Total Liberation of Angola ended in 2002.- Nampa-Reuters”I can guarantee elections won’t take place before 2006,” the source from the presidency said, requesting anonymity.The government has been accused by the International Monetary Fund and human rights groups of creaming off billions of dollars from the country’s oil sector and analysts have said that as a result it is in no rush to face the electorate.A 27-year civil war in Angola between the government and the former rebel National Union for the Total Liberation of Angola ended in 2002.- Nampa-Reuters