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afrol News, 15 January - As the Angolan peace process in turning into a democratisation process, the country enters a transition process to prepare for general elections, probably set for 2006. While the government is to negotiate constitutional changes, new electoral legislation and prepare voters lists, the UNITA opposition is concentrating on its conversion from a rebel group into a political party. First, a party leader needs to be elected. Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos in his New Year address to the country already had prepared his citizens of the need for a democratic transition, although, given the many violent election processes in Africa, "there might still be Angolans who may fear a ballot." The President emphasised the need of "seeking consensus" for the timetable of organising general elections in the country. Parliament, the government, political parties and civil society would be consulted, Mr dos Santos promised. The UNITA opposition, which only lay down their weapons last year after 27 years of civil war, this week stated its agreement to a relatively slow process towards national elections. Jerónimo Wanga, leader of UNITA's parliamentary group, agreed to a government proposed timetable to arrange the polls in 2006, this being "necessary to create conditions of normality." In an interview with 'Rádio Luanda Antena Comercial', Mr Wanga maintained that before 2004, it would be impossible to create conditions for free and fair elections in Angola. To achieve this, the government first had to implement reforms in the electoral legislation and prepare voters lists; a time-consuming process. This was also complicated by the millions of internally displaced Angolans, who must be given time to return to their homes. To avoid the risk of jeopardising these reforms due to lack of time, 2006 would be a reasonable timetable for the elections, Mr Wanga held. The ex-rebels meanwhile are in the difficult process of becoming an ordinary political party. At the moment, UNITA does not even have an elected leader. Since the infamous rebel leader Jonas Savimbi was killed in February last year, the group has been led by the party's political committee. UNITA Secretary-General Paulo Lukamba "Gato" heads this committee and is seen as the most powerful person within the party. According to a statement by Mr Wanga, Mr Lukambo is one of the principal candidates to become the new UNITA leader and UNITA's candidate to the presidency. Mr Lukambo, who was known as "General Gato" during the civil war, was one of UNITA's leading officers and known as a militant. He has however been central in the peaceful transition of Angola and the UNITA rebels into a political party. Also Isaias Samakuva and Abel Chivukuvuku were launched as possible UNITA party presidential candidates. Meanwhile, the ex-rebels are struggling to unite on a political platform and regain trust among the Angolans after years of brutal warfare. The party has already apologised to the Angolan people for the errors and human suffering it had produced during the civil war. Learning from the disappointing lessons of rebels-turned-politicians in countries like Mozambique and Sierra Leone, UNITA knows it will need time before it can present itself as a trustworthy political party in national elections. The party therefore seems to choose to show responsibility during a national transition process that will end up in elections in three years time. Sources: Based on Angolan govt., press reports, UNITA and afrol archives
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