Africa Monitor Intelligence

Angola: Calculated Lourenço-Santos approach

In choosing Dubai as a place for JL to be seen by two doctors, one American and another Spanish - who for years accompany health problems he suffers from - and who travelled from their countries for this purpose, also taken into account was that JES had been there, in a hotel, for about two months. MANUEL VICENTE (MV) who, at the request of JL, had the role of intermediary, was also in Dubai. ALBINO MALUNGO, Angolan ambassador, is also close to JL.
The existence of an "internal front" of opposition to JL, a faction inside the MPLA itself, is considered "particularly delicate" considering the climate of crisis and/ or political instability that the country is going through. JL and his policies are also the target of another "front" of contestation, animated by the opposition and sectors of society. It is considered that the similarity of purposes between the two "fronts" tends to give rise to reciprocal phenomena of encouragement and support.
In terms of monitoring the current internal situation, SINSE pays special attention to attitudes and/ or behavior seen as being "in solidarity" with the opposition from MPLA cadres identified as critics of JL. The pressure exerted by the regime on the leader of UNITA, ADALBERTO da COSTA JUNIOR (ACJ) has given rise to public and private expressions of solidarity towards him from MPLA figures in alleged disagreement with the processes and methods used.
The need for a rapprochement with JES as a condition for the pacification of the MPLA, which in turn leads to a weakening of the protest against JL, leads the current PR to a position of weakness. By definition, JES would tend to exploit the circumstance in his favor taking into account the vindictive spirit that is known to him, in the face of his resentments towards JL. READ MORE