Angolan president agrees to stepdown after 38 years in power

- Dos Santos announced this on Friday, February 3, 2017

- The announcement means defence minister Joao Lourenco will be the presidential candidate

74-year-old Angolan president Dos Santos agrees to step down
After ruling for 38 years, Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos has confirmed on Friday, February 3, that he will not run in this year’s presidential election.

Although he is stepping down as president of the country, he has said he will retain control of the powerful ruling party, the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA).

The 74-year-old had previously stated in March 2016, that he would not run in the August elections. Yet, opponents remained suspicious given that this was not the first time he had given such pledges.

Defence Minister Joao Lourenco will be the presidential candidate for the ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), dos Santos said ahead of a party meeting where candidates for the vote will be confirmed.

If Dos Santos will remain president of the MPLA, he will continue choosing parliamentary candidates and appointing top posts in the army and police.