Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

I welcome the Tánaiste and the Ministers of State. Angola is not a country which looms large in terms of Irish and African relationships. Since the long-running civil war of 27 years ended in 2002, however, a degree of relationship has built up between Angola and Ireland. Irish Aid is making a contribution in the fight against AIDS, in regard to good governance and combatting the abuse of human rights.

The country is oil rich. The economy is largely based on oil exports which account for 85% of GDP, although the majority of the population live on subsistence and farming. In that regard, we can see the great diversity and the disproportionate nature of the operation of the economy.

A general election is planned for 2012, which is welcome because elections were sporadic during the course of the civil war and afterwards. The previous election took place in 2008, and it was observed by a European Union mission. The European Union mission was critical of the conduct of the election and the results were challenged by the main opposition parties. Subsequently, the President, Don Eduardo dos Santos, reneged on his promise to hold a popular election for the presidency in 2009. Instead, with a majority in parliament he introduced a constitutional change which appointed him to the presidency for a further two year term. It is with some trepidation, therefore, that we look at the possibility of the elections going ahead in 2012.

In any case, certain provisions have been made to prepare for the election. A national electoral commission has been established for the purpose of preparing for and running the election. The problem, however, is that it is composed largely of the ruling party, the MPLA, the popular movement for the liberation of Angola.

Democracy is still very much in a fledgling state in Angola and there are serious concerns about corruption, intimidation and so on. Angola rates poorly in terms of governments. It scores as low as 44th out of the 48 African countries and fares particularly badly on participation in human rights, sustainable economic opportunity and human development. The track record on good governance, anti-corruption measures and a fair legislative and judicial system is not the best. From that point of view, it would be desirable if the European Union and the international community got involved at the earliest stage possible to ensure the forthcoming elections are free and fair.

It would seem that the appropriate approach would be to appoint an EU or international observer mission at the earliest stage possible to supervise, in the first instance, the national electoral commission currently in place because it is disproportionately in favour of the ruling party. That is the stage at which all the registration will take place and where the identification and the authenticity of the electoral process will be determined. If there is not a supervisory body in place to be present throughout the preparatory electoral process, an observer mission, as happened in 2008, will be coming in cold and will not have the full facts at its disposal.

I urge that this aspect be examined. It is not something the European Union has given sufficient attention to, particularly as very often in a case where there has been a former colonial past the particular country, in this case Portugal, has probably been left with undue responsibility in the area, and that is not necessarily the most desirable way to proceed. The European Union and the international community should examine it more carefully and get involved at the earliest stage possible to ensure an observer process is established, not just when the election takes place but well in advance of that.

I ask the Minister to raise this matter at a meeting of the Council of Ministers, which would be an appropriate forum. There have been only two elections since 1975 and we would not want an election to be held without it being a proper free and fair election. Also, I ask if it could be raised in any other appropriate international forum.

See this speech in context