Angola: Parallel governments, oil and neopatrimonial system reproduction

This briefing analyzes the political structure of Angola between 2008 and 2010, arguing that the state operates through two parallel ruling structures: a formal government led by the MPLA and a more resilient 'shadow' government controlled by the presidency. The author examines how President José Eduardo Dos Santos uses this dual system, supported by the national oil company Sonangol, to maintain power, manage patronage, and marginalize potential rivals within the party and the state.

• Angola is governed by two parallel structures: a formal, fragile government ruled by the Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola (MPLA) and a resilient 'shadow' government manipulated by the presidency. While these structures are mutually dependent, their internal functions are sometimes contradictory.
• The shadow government operates autonomously from the formal state and is accountable only to the presidency. Its responsibilities include formulating international policy independently of the foreign ministry, controlling the money supply through financing mechanisms outside the official budgetary process, and providing its own security via a presidential guard of 7,000 Cuanhama and Gambo tribesmen.
• Sonangol, the national oil company, serves as the primary economic engine of the shadow government. It functions as a sovereign wealth fund, making international acquisitions in sectors such as banking, telecommunications, and energy in countries including Portugal, Brazil, Iraq, Cuba, Venezuela, and Mexico, while feeding a vast patronage network with oil revenues.
• A new constitution passed on 21 January 2010 formalized the unlimited power of the presidency. It abolished the post of prime minister and direct presidential elections, instead making the leader of the party with the most parliamentary seats the head of state. This allows President Dos Santos to potentially remain in power until 2022.
• President Dos Santos employs a 'divide and rule' strategy by incorporating former UNITA members, such as Foreign Minister Jorge Rebelo Chicoti and Chief of Staff General Geraldo Sachipengo Nunda, into his shadow structures. This creates a buffer between the president and the MPLA party leaders who possess popular support.
• Angola's foreign policy is characterized by 'exceptionalism' and a 'statist' approach, preferring bilateral relations over multilateral consensus. The government seeks to project influence in Southern and Central Africa as an alternative to South Africa's hegemony, focusing on security, domination, and economically advantageous cooperation.

APA

Roque, P. C. (2011). Angola: Parallel governments, oil and neopatrimonial system reproduction. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/SitRep2011_6JuneAngola.pdf

Chicago

Roque, Paula Cristina. Angola: Parallel governments, oil and neopatrimonial system reproduction. Institute for Security Studies, 2011. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/SitRep2011_6JuneAngola.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Roque |first1=Paula Cristina |title=Angola: Parallel governments, oil and neopatrimonial system reproduction |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=6 June 2011 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/SitRep2011_6JuneAngola.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{roque2011angola, author = {Roque, Paula Cristina}, title = {{Angola: Parallel governments, oil and neopatrimonial system reproduction}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2011}, month = jun, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/SitRep2011_6JuneAngola.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }