ollowing the signing of the peace agreement in 2002 and the subsequent political stability that has reigned for the last year and a half, the Angolan government intends to hold an international donors conference in the near future to discuss the implementation of the priority phase of its Post-Conflict Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program.

The conflict in Angola has had widespread social repercussions and the processes leading to progress will be hard-fought. The country ranked 161 out of 173 on the Human Development Index for 2002, and over two thirds of the population live in poverty. President dos Santos is aware that this reality calls for a long-term strategy of international engagement.

Minister of Planning Ana Dias Lourenço states, “The fight against poverty is very important for this conference. Data indicates that Angola’s poverty level is around 63%, and 23% of this is registered as ‘extreme poverty’, which means living on less than US$1 per day.

“Primarily this conference is important to seek support for government efforts to reinforce peace and national reconciliation in an organized and coordinated way, as well as for the reestablishment and social reintegration of people affected by the war. We would also like the participation of the international community in the rehabilitation of basic community infrastructures.”

In preparation for the conference, the government has been implementing the necessary economic measures to meet donor requirements as set out in IMF and World Bank recommendations.

Deputy Prime Minister Aguinaldo Jaime elaborates, “Obviously we rely on the assistance of the donor community because they had a very important role during the war. At the moment, there are some informal consultations going on between the Angolan government and the donor community because it is important that we meet all the required conditions for the donor conference. So we have been exchanging views with the donor community and I think they are pleased with the steps we have been taking.”

Governor of the National Bank of Angola, Amadeu de Jesus Castelhano Mauricio, adds, “A good relationship with the IMF is necessary and our points of view converge on many issues. We believe that we need economic stabilization policies that will encourage the development of the country.”