Angola has been ruled by the same party since independence, and authorities have systematically repressed political dissent. Corruption, due process violations, and abuses by security forces remain common. Some restrictions on the press and civil society were eased after President João Lourenço took office in 2017, but that partial opening has since been reversed.

• In January, it was reported that Angolan prosecutors had formally charged Isabel dos Santos, daughter of former President José Eduardo dos Santos, with crimes including fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering linked to her tenure as head of the state oil company in 2016–17. She remained abroad and was contesting asset freezes and other sanctions in various foreign jurisdictions.
• The Constitutional Court granted initial accreditation to a new opposition group, the Liberal Party, in July, but the group said in September that it was encountering bureaucratic obstacles from local authorities as it sought to register the required 7,500 signatures from across the country for full legalization. Final approval was still pending at year’s end, though another party, the Angolan Renaissance Party–Servir Angola (PRA-JA), secured legalization in October after a five-year struggle.
• In August, President Lourenço signed the Law on Crimes of Vandalism of Public Goods and Services, which established prison sentences of up to 25 years for individuals who take part in protests that result in acts of vandalism and disruption of services. The law also empowered the authorities to take undefined “appropriate measures” to prevent damage to public property or disruption of services.
• Another law signed that month, the National Security Law, granted the government broad discretion to interfere with the media and telecommunications services without court approval in unspecified “exceptional circumstances.” Other provisions of the law similarly allowed police searches, surveillance, and temporary restrictions on freedom of movement, and required individuals to report threats to national security or risk criminal prosecution.
• Authorities continued to crack down on protests throughout the year, arresting organizers and banning or forcibly dispersing demonstrations on topics including price increases and living conditions, violence against women street vendors, the new vandalism law, and the prospect of a third term for the president. Separately, a coalition of trade unions reported government intimidation during a series of general strikes in March and April, though an agreement on wages and other matters was reached in May.

This report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2025 due to ongoing budget constraints. Freedom in the World is entirely funded by nongovernmental sources such as private foundations, corporations, and individuals like you. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.

For additional background information, see last year’s full report.