Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 339: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the next general election in Angola is due to take place in 2012; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that the last election in 2008 was judged by some observers to be illegitimate; the steps Ireland is taking directly and through the EU to ensure that preparations for the election in 2012 and the elections themselves will be free, fair and legitimate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39658/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Angola's first parliamentary election since 1992, and only the second since 1975, took place in September 2008. The ruling MPLA party won a landslide majority in the 2008 general election, with 82% of votes and a total of 191 seats out of 220. This gave it a two-thirds majority in Parliament. An EU election observation mission at the time said that they represented a 'positive step towards strengthening democracy', despite some organisational weaknesses and state control of the media. While the EU mission welcomed the peaceful conduct of the elections it did not go as far as describing them as free and fair and made several recommendations in its final report, including strengthening the impartiality of the National Elections Commission (CNE).

The 2008 elections, though subject to these caveats, represented an important milestone for Angola on the route to democracy. Turnout was estimated at over 75%, which was a demonstration of the Angolan people's enthusiasm for the democratic process. That the elections passed off peacefully is significant given that the results of the only previous election in Angola in 1992 were violently disputed, leading to the re-intensification of the civil war. The next round of Parliamentary elections is due to take place in 2012. In relation to possible international assistance for these elections, the EU-Angola Country Strategy Paper for the period 2008-2013 allows for support to the Angolan electoral cycle, in areas of voter education and capacity-building to key institutions, including the National Electoral Commission. EU assistance, including a possible electoral observation mission, is dependent on a request being made by the national authorities.

On a broader level, the promotion of democratic accountability and equality in order to ensure equitable and sustainable development is a policy priority of the Irish overseas aid programme. Our work in this area includes participation in election monitoring and support; support for parliaments and parliamentary reform; support for strengthened public financial management systems and oversight bodies; and support for civil society, including independent media. Irish Aid will continue to prioritise support to this important area and help to ensure effective, equitable and accountable governance in developing countries, particularly in Africa.