Angola is rebuilding its country after the end of a 27-year civil war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular

Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, and the National Union for

the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in

1975.

Peace seemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, but fighting picked up again by 1996.

Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost - and 4 million people displaced - in the quarter century of fighting.

SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and strengthened the MPLA's hold on power. President

DOS SANTOS held legislative elections in September 2008, and announced plans to hold presidential elections

in 2009.