Angola's Dos Santos Skips Resignation Issue At Party Meet

LUANDA, Dec 2 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 02nd Dec, 2016 ) : Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, in power for 37 years, on Friday launched his party's campaign for the 2017 election, but declined to say if he would seek a new term.

Dos Santos, 74, made a surprise announcement in March that he would step down in 2018, but has given no further details about any resignation plan. "Our goal is to win the election," he told a meeting of the ruling MPLA (People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola) party in Luanda.

"The key to success will be the discipline and the unity of all our candidates." In August, Dos Santos was re-elected head of the MPLA, automatically extending his mandate by five years if the party wins the election, as expected.

The country does not have a presidential vote, but the leader of the winning party becomes head of state. The MPLA on Thursday issued a statement denying reports that Dos Santos was ill. "Dos Santos has personally directed the work of the MPLA and the state," it said.

"The MPLA party, which supports the Angolan government, warns all citizens to be aware of the circulation of false information against Angola on social media." Angola is a major oil producer, but critics accuse Dos Santos of corruption and repression in a country where many suffer dire poverty.