USAID/OTI Angola Field Report April 2004
Program Description
The OTI program in Angola was initiated in February 2003 to support the renewed opportunity for a lasting peace and increased democracy following the end of forty years of violent conflict. OTI is providing support in three areas: strengthening civil society advocacy capacity; strengthening media; and increasing local-level engagement between citizens and authorities in order to address community problems. OTI’s implementing partner is Creative Associates and the FY 2004 budget is approximately $3.8 million.
Country Situation
In a statement released on April 27th, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that positive results had been achieved in recent months with regard to compiling timely and regular key macroeconomic data. The statement also reiterated the IMF’s commitment to providing additional technical assistance to improve the Angolan government’s capacity to compile key macroeconomic and statistical data. However, at the same time, the Angolan government continued to defend its practice of securing controversial oil-backed loans through international financial markets, a practice opposed by the IMF, Global Witness and other advocates for greater fiscal transparency, leading some to express skepticism about the extent of Angola’s commitment to increased transparency and accountability.
At the end of April, the Angolan government had still not set a date for national elections, and frustrations are mounting regarding the slow pace of change. While analysts praise developments such as the adoption by the government of a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) intended to facilitate access to World Bank support, increasing pessimism is expressed about prospects for a transition from war to recovery in the near-term. Overall donor humanitarian assistance levels have continued to decline since the end of the war, and media report concerns about food security in light of a funding shortfall for food relief. Analysts, humanitarian organizations, donors and others also continue to try to assess the potential impact on pending Angolan legislation which will ban the import of all genetically modified cereals.
National and international news media continued to report on forced expulsions of as many as 100,000 illegal Congolese diamond miners working in northern Angola by Angolan security forces since December. NGOs such as Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Medecins sans Fronteires (MSF) allege that the expulsions have been accompanied by rape, torture and other human rights abuses by Angolan security forces, and they also note that the illegal workers are returning to desperate humanitarian conditions in the DRC. Angolan government officials continue to deny the allegations of human rights abuses, and emphasize that it is within Angola’s right to repatriate Congolese citizens working illegally in Angola’s diamond industry.
USAID/OTI Highlights
A. Narrative Summary
During April, OTI focused on monitoring and assessing existing activities, as the program begins to prepare for close-out later this year. OTI held a planning workshop to discuss impact assessment and close-out planning. Staff traveled to Huila province to meet with grantees and monitor existing activities.
- 229 people participated in workshops offered by the NGO Maos Livres intended to raise awareness about land rights and land tenure issues in Huambo province, more than five times the number of participants expected.
- Following training and technical support, recently-established citizen councils in three municipalities in Huambo province with support from a local NGO coalition met twice during April with local administration officials to discuss community problems and proposed solutions.
- In Huila province, OTI grants to two local NGOs supported twelve radio broadcasts on both private and state media on land rights which reached listeners in all parts of the province – one of the most heavily affected by land conflicts.
No new grants were approved in April.
B. Grants Activity Summary
| Media Strengthening |
$0 |
$131,340 |
0 |
5 |
| Civil Society Advocacy Capacity |
$0 |
$965,410 |
0 |
25 |
| Citizen Engagement with Local Authorities |
$0 |
$794,236 |
0 |
16 |
| TOTAL (April 2004) |
$0 |
$1,890,986* |
0 |
46 |
* Program is currently reviewing grants budgets and expenditures and will be revising this table shortly.
NEXT STEPS/IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES
During May and June, OTI and its implementing partner, Creative Associates International (CAII) will conclude visits to all grantees as part of the impact assessment process outlined during the April planning workshop.
For further information, please contact:
In Washington: Angela Martin at 202-712-5434, amartin@usaid.gov
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