The DRC will be the first foreign policy priority for Angola’s new president

This research paper analyzes the strategic relationship between Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during a period of political transition in Angola. It argues that ensuring a stable and predictable DRC is Angola's primary foreign policy objective, though Luanda's support for President Joseph Kabila has diminished due to electoral delays and regional instability.

• The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the most critical foreign policy priority for Angola's incoming presidency, as Luanda views a stable and predictable DRC as its most important objective.
• Angola's relationship with President Joseph Kabila has deteriorated because Luanda believes his indefinite delay of elections, following the end of his official mandate in December 2016, threatens long-term stability.
• Angola has expressed its dissatisfaction with the DRC government through diplomatic and practical measures, including supporting tougher UN Security Council resolutions in 2015 and 2016 and withdrawing military trainers in December 2016.
• Conflict in the DRC's Kasai region has created a humanitarian crisis for Angola, with over 32,000 refugees arriving since April, a number the UNHCR and Angolan government suggest could exceed 50,000.
• While a weakened domestic economy due to low oil prices makes immediate military intervention unlikely, Angola has a history of intervening in the DRC to protect its security interests, such as its 1998 intervention to prevent rebels from aiding the UNITA movement.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2017). The DRC will be the first foreign policy priority for Angola’s new president. https://saiia.org.za/research/the-drc-will-be-the-first-foreign-policy-priority-for-angola-s-new-president/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. The DRC will be the first foreign policy priority for Angola’s new president. 2017. https://saiia.org.za/research/the-drc-will-be-the-first-foreign-policy-priority-for-angola-s-new-president/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=The DRC will be the first foreign policy priority for Angola’s new president |date=26 September 2017 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/the-drc-will-be-the-first-foreign-policy-priority-for-angola-s-new-president/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2017drc, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{The DRC will be the first foreign policy priority for Angola’s new president}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2017}, month = sep, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/the-drc-will-be-the-first-foreign-policy-priority-for-angola-s-new-president/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }