Foreign relations of Angola

The foreign relations of Angola are based on Angola's strong support of U.S. foreign policy as the Angolan economy is dependent on U.S. foreign aid. From 1975 to 1989, Angola was aligned with the Eastern bloc, in particular the Soviet Union, Libya,[citation needed] and Cuba. Since then, it has focused on improving relationships with Western countries, cultivating links with other Portuguese-speaking countries, and asserting its own national interests in Central Africa through military and diplomatic intervention. In 1993, it established formal diplomatic relations with the United States. It has entered the Southern African Development Community as a vehicle for improving ties with its largely Anglophone neighbors to the south. Zimbabwe and Namibia joined Angola in its military intervention in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where Angolan troops remain in support of the Joseph Kabila government. It also has intervened in the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville) in support of Denis Sassou-Nguesso in the civil war.

Since 1998, Angola has successfully worked with the United Nations Security Council to impose and carry out sanctions on UNITA. More recently, it has extended those efforts to controls on conflict diamonds, the primary source of revenue for UNITA during the Civil War that ended in 2002. At the same time, Angola has promoted the revival of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) as a forum for cultural exchange and expanding ties with Portugal (its former ruler) and Brazil (which shares many cultural affinities with Angola) in particular. Angola is a member of the Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA).

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Angola maintains diplomatic relations with:

# Country Date
1  Mozambique 5 July 1975
2  Czech Republic 11 November 1975
3  Brazil 12 November 1975
4  Vietnam 12 November 1975
5  Cuba 15 November 1975
6  North Korea 16 November 1975
7  Bulgaria 20 November 1975
8  Poland 21 November 1975
9  Cambodia 4 December 1975
10  Romania 19 December 1975
11  Mongolia 10 February 1976
12  France 17 February 1976
13  Botswana 18 February 1976
14  Egypt 18 February 1976
15  Netherlands 18 February 1976
16  Mexico 20 February 1976
17  Portugal 9 March 1976
18  Nigeria 15 March 1976
19  Libya 30 March 1976
20  Italy 4 June 1976
21  Republic of the Congo 25 July 1976
22  Japan 9 September 1976
23  Denmark 17 September 1976
24  Finland 18 September 1976
25   Switzerland 30 September 1976
26  Ghana 8 October 1976
27  Russia 8 October 1976
28  Benin 11 October 1976
29  Hungary 8 April 1977
30  Serbia 25 April 1977
31  Ethiopia 13 July 1977
32  Guyana 24 July 1977
33  Bangladesh August 1977
34  United Kingdom 14 October 1977
35  Algeria 19 October 1977
36  Spain 19 October 1977
37  Pakistan 20 October 1977
38  Austria 25 October 1977
39  Cape Verde 30 October 1977
40  Norway 31 October 1977
41  Yemen 2 November 1977
42  Belgium 16 December 1977
43  Canada 1 February 1978
44  São Tomé and Príncipe 19 February 1978
45  Sweden 22 March 1978
46  Democratic Republic of the Congo 17 October 1978
47  Central African Republic 22 January 1979
48  Argentina 2 June 1979
49  India 2 June 1979
50  Cameroon 21 August 1979
51  Germany 4 September 1979
52  Zambia 19 October 1979
53  Turkey 9 July 1980
54  Laos 11 July 1980
55  Niger 28 August 1980
56  Greece 30 August 1980
57  Tanzania 25 August 1981
58  Senegal 16 February 1982
59  Gabon 24 May 1982
60  Zimbabwe 15 October 1982
61  Equatorial Guinea 1982
62  China 12 January 1983
63  Grenada 13 March 1983
64  Ivory Coast 3 June 1983
65  Lesotho 1983
66  Tunisia 1983
67  Morocco 24 June 1985
68  Kenya 22 July 1985
69  Suriname 11 September 1985
70  Iran 8 January 1986
71  Vanuatu 16 July 1986
72  Seychelles 7 November 1986
73  Venezuela 9 December 1986
74  Uruguay 6 March 1987
75  Mauritania 2 December 1987
76  Australia 30 March 1988
77  Colombia 29 April 1988
78  Albania 17 August 1988
79  Peru 27 August 1988
80  Togo 27 September 1988
81  Nicaragua 20 October 1988
82  Rwanda December 1988
83  Burundi December 1988
84  Iceland 1988
85  Panama 16 February 1989
86  Eswatini 8 November 1989
87  Chile 8 August 1990
88  Namibia 18 September 1990
89  South Korea 6 January 1992
90  Israel 16 April 1992
91  Thailand 24 August 1992
92  United States 19 May 1993
93  Slovakia 30 September 1993
94  Malawi 9 November 1993
95  North Macedonia 10 November 1993
96  South Africa 27 May 1994
97  Moldova 30 September 1994
98  Ukraine 30 September 1994
99  Armenia 3 October 1994
100  Kazakhstan 3 October 1994
101  Croatia 16 November 1994
102  Azerbaijan 1 December 1994
103  Belarus 24 April 1995
104  Malaysia 1995
105  Qatar 1995
106  Lebanon 3 July 1996
107  Bolivia 29 January 1997
108  Estonia 10 March 1997
109  Georgia 10 March 1997
110  Ecuador 17 June 1997
111  Turkmenistan 18 June 1997
 Holy See 8 July 1997
112  Kuwait 20 November 1997
113  United Arab Emirates 11 December 1997
114  Syria 10 February 1999
115  Bosnia and Herzegovina 24 September 1999
116  Singapore 14 September 2000
117  Cyprus 1 June 2000
118  Belize 24 January 2001
119  Ireland 24 January 2001
120  Costa Rica 13 March 2001
121  East Timor 20 May 2001
122  Indonesia 7 August 2001
123  Philippines 14 September 2001
124  Luxembourg 14 May 2002
125  Uzbekistan 29 May 2002
126  Lithuania 4 June 2002
127  Jamaica 8 October 2002
128  Uganda 2002
129  Mali 9 January 2003
130  Burkina Faso 17 January 2003
131  Sudan 22 October 2003
132  Slovenia 20 January 2004
133  Sri Lanka 23 February 2004
134  Jordan 15 July 2004
135  Sierra Leone 1 November 2004
136  Comoros 22 December 2004
137  Chad 23 June 2005
138  Oman 13 December 2005
 Sovereign Military Order of Malta 13 December 2005
139  Brunei 18 October 2006
140  Guinea-Bissau 8 January 2007
141  Paraguay 21 June 2007
142  Guinea 7 August 2007
143  Andorra 20 March 2009
144  Saudi Arabia 24 March 2009
145  San Marino 30 March 2009
146  Dominican Republic 25 September 2009
147  Liberia 3 December 2009
148  Montenegro 18 December 2009
149  Malta 15 June 2010
150  Fiji 18 May 2011
151  Latvia 7 July 2011
152  Eritrea 11 March 2012
153  Myanmar 19 September 2013
154  Bahrain 26 September 2013
155  New Zealand 4 October 2013
156  Iraq 21 February 2014
157  Monaco 31 July 2014
158  South Sudan 10 June 2016
159  Madagascar 18 November 2017
160    Nepal 9 December 2017
161  Tajikistan 5 October 2020
162  Maldives 10 November 2020
163  Liechtenstein 23 June 2021
164  Somalia 31 August 2021
165  Gambia 3 September 2021
166  Djibouti 24 January 2022
167  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 30 March 2022
168  Barbados 17 August 2022
169  Trinidad and Tobago 7 December 2022
170  El Salvador 18 September 2023
171  Guatemala 22 September 2023
172  Mauritius Unknown
 State of Palestine Unknown

Bilateral relations

Africa

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Cape Verde 30 October 1977 See Angola–Cape Verde relations

Cape Verde signed a friendship accord with Angola in December 1975, shortly after Angola gained its independence. Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau served as stop-over points for Cuban troops on their way to Angola to fight UNITA rebels and South African troops. Prime Minister Pedro Pires sent FARP soldiers to Angola where they served as the personal bodyguards of Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos.

  • Angola has an embassy in Praia.
  • Cape Verde has an embassy in Luanda and a consulate in Benguela.
 Democratic Republic of Congo 17 October 1978

Many thousands of Angolans fled the country after the civil war. More than 20,000 people were forced to leave the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2009, an action the DR Congo said was in retaliation for regular expulsion of Congolese diamond miners who were in Angola illegally. Angola sent a delegation to DR Congo's capital Kinshasa and succeeded in stopping government-forced expulsions which had become a "tit-for-tat" immigration dispute. "Congo and Angola have agreed to suspend expulsions from both sides of the border," said Lambert Mende, DR Congo information minister, in October 2009. "We never challenged the expulsions themselves; we challenged the way they were being conducted – all the beating of people and looting their goods, even sometimes their clothes," Mende said.

  • Angola has an embassy in Kinshasa.
  • DR Congo has an embassy in Luanda.
 Kenya See Angola–Kenya relations
  • Angola has an embassy in Nairobi.
  • Kenya has an embassy in Luanda.
 Mozambique 5 July 1975 See Angola–Mozambique relations
  • Angola has an embassy in Maputo.
  • Mozambique has an embassy in Luanda.
 Namibia 18 September 1990 See Angola–Namibia relations

Namibia borders Angola to the south. In 1999, Namibia signed a mutual defense pact with its northern neighbor Angola. This affected the Angolan Civil War that had been ongoing since Angola's independence in 1975. Namibia's ruling party SWAPO sought to support the ruling party MPLA in Angola against the rebel movement UNITA, whose stronghold is in southern Angola, bordering to Namibia. The defence pact allowed Angolan troops to use Namibian territory when attacking Jonas Savimbi's UNITA.

 Nigeria 15 March 1976 See Angola–Nigeria relations

Angolan-Nigerian relations are primarily based on their roles as oil exporting nations. Both are members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, the African Union and other multilateral organizations.

  • Angola has an embassy in Abuja.
  • Nigeria has an embassy in Luanda.
 South Africa 17 May 1994 See Angola–South Africa relations

Angola-South Africa relations are quite strong as the ruling parties in both nations, the African National Congress in South Africa and the MPLA in Angola, fought together during the Angolan Civil War and South African Border War. They fought against UNITA rebels, based in Angola, and the apartheid-era government in South Africa who supported them. Nelson Mandela mediated between the MPLA and UNITA factions during the last years of Angola's civil war.

 Zimbabwe 15 October 1982 See Angola–Zimbabwe relations

Americas

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Argentina 2 June 1979 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 June 1979

See Angola–Argentina relations

 Brazil 12 November 1975 See Angola–Brazil relations

Commercial and economic ties dominate the relations of each country. Parts of both countries were part of the Portuguese Empire from the early 16th century until Brazil's independence in 1822. As of November 2007, "trade between the two countries is booming as never before"

 Canada 1 February 1978

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 February 1978

Canada-Angola relations were established in 1978, and Canada is accredited to Angola from its Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe. Ties have grown since the end of the civil war in 2002, with increased engagement in areas of mutual interest. As Chair of the United Nations Security Council's Angola Sanctions Committee, Canada limited the ability of UNITA to continue its military campaign, sanctions helped to bring a ceasefire agreement to end Angola's conflict.

  • Angola is accredited to Canada from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.
  • Canada is accredited to Angola from its embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe and maintains an honorary consulate in Luanda.
 Cuba 15 November 1975 See Angola–Cuba relations

During Angola's civil war Cuban forces fought to install a Marxist–Leninist MPLA-PT government, against Western-backed UNITA and FLNA guerrillas and the South-African army.

  • Angola has an embassy in Havana.
  • Cuba has an embassy in Luanda.
 Mexico 20 February 1976 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 February 1976

See Angola–Mexico relations

  • Angola is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.
  • Mexico is accredited to Angola from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa and maintains an honorary consulate in Luanda.
 United States 14 July 1994 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 July 1994

See Angola–United States relations

Embassy of Angola in Washington, D.C.

From the mid-1980s through at least 1992, the United States was the primary source of military and other support for the UNITA rebel movement, which was led from its creation through 2002 by Jonas Savimbi. The U.S. refused to recognize Angola diplomatically during this period.

Relations between the United States of America and the Republic of Angola (formerly the People's Republic of Angola) have warmed since Angola's ideological renunciation of Communism before the 1992 elections.

  • Angola has an embassy in Washington, D.C., and consulates-general in Houston and New York City.
  • United States has an embassy in Luanda.
 Uruguay 6 March 1987 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 March 1987

See Angola–Uruguay relations

  • Angola has a consulate-general in Montevideo.
  • Uruguay is accredited to Angola from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.

Asia

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 China 12 January 1983 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 January 1983

See Angola–China relations

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao visited Angola in June 2006, offering a US$9 billion loan for infrastructure improvements in return for petroleum. The PRC has invested heavily in Angola since the end of the civil war in 2002. João Manuel Bernardo, the current ambassador of Angola to China, visited the PRC in November 2007.

  • Angola has an embassy in Beijing and a consulate-general in Macau.
  • China has an embassy in Luanda.
 India 2 June 1979 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 June 1979

See Angola–India relations

  • Angola has an embassy in New Delhi.
  • India has an embassy in Luanda.
 Israel 16 April 1992 See Angola–Israel relations

Angola-Israel relations, primarily based on trade and pro-United States foreign policies, are excellent. In March 2006, the trade volume between the two countries amounted to $400 million. In 2005, President José Eduardo dos Santos visited Israel.

 Japan September 1976 See Angola–Japan relations

Diplomatic relations between Japan and Angola were established in September 1976. Japan has donated towards demining following the civil war.

  • Angola has an embassy in Tokyo.
  • Japan has an embassy in Luanda.
 Pakistan 20 October 1977

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 October 1977

The Government of Angola called for the support of Pakistan for the candidature of Angola to the seat of non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, whose election is set for September this year, during the 69th session of the General Assembly of United Nations. On the fringes of the ceremony, the Angolan diplomat also met with officials in charge of the economic and commercial policy of Pakistan, to assess the business opportunities between the two states. It asked to discuss aspects related to the cooperation on several domains of common interest.

 Philippines 14 September 2001 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 September 2001.
  • Angola has an embassy in Manila.
  • Philippines is accredited to Angola from its embassy in Lisbon, Portugal.
 Turkey 9 July 1980 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 July 1980

See Angola–Turkey relations

  • Angola has an embassy in Ankara.
  • Turkey has an embassy in Luanda.
  • Trade volume between the two countries was US$212 million in 2019.
 Vietnam 12 November 1975 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 November 1975

See Angola–Vietnam relations

Angola-Vietnam relations were established on 12 November 1975 after Angola gained its independence, when future President of Angola Agostinho Neto visited Vietnam. Angola and Vietnam have steadfast partners as both transitioned from Cold War-era foreign policies of international communism to pro-Western pragmatism following the fall of the Soviet Union.

  • Angola has an embassy in Hanoi.
  • Vietnam has an embassy in Luanda.

Europe

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 France 17 February 1976 See Angola–France relations

Relations between the two countries have not always been cordial due to the former French government's policy of supporting militant separatists in Angola's Cabinda province and the international Angolagate scandal embarrassed both governments by exposing corruption and illicit arms deals. Following French President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit in 2008, relations have improved.

  • Angola has an embassy in Paris.
  • France has an embassy in Luanda.
 Germany 16 August 1979 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 August 1979

See Angola–Germany relations

  • Angola has an embassy in Berlin.
  • Germany has an embassy in Luanda.
 Holy See 14 April 1975
 Italy 4 June 1976

See Angola–Italy relations

  • Angola has an embassy in Rome.
  • Italy has an embassy in Luanda.
 Netherlands 18 February 1976
  • Angola has an embassy in The Hague and a consulate-general in Rotterdam.
  • Netherlands has an embassy in Luanda.
 Portugal 9 March 1976 See Angola–Portugal relations

Angola-Portugal relations have significantly improved since the Angolan government abandoned communism and nominally embraced democracy in 1991, embracing a pro-U.S. and to a lesser degree pro-Europe foreign policy. Portugal ruled Angola for 400 years, colonizing the territory from 1483 until independence in 1975. Angola's war for independence did not end in a military victory for either side, but was suspended as a result of a coup in Portugal that replaced the Caetano regime.

  • Angola has an embassy in Lisbon and a consulate-general in Porto.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Luanda and a consulate-general in Benguela.
 Russia 11 November 1975 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 November 1975

See Angola–Russia relations

  • Angola has an embassy in Moscow.
  • Russia has an embassy in Luanda.
 Serbia 12 November 1975 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 November 1975

See Angola–Serbia relations

The Defence Minister of Serbia, Dragan Šutanovac, stated in a 2011 meeting in Luanda that Serbia would negotiate with the Angolan military authorities for the construction of a new military hospital in Angola.

Angola supports Serbia's stance on Kosovo, and recognizes Serbia's territorial integrity.

  • Angola has an embassy in Belgrade.
  • Serbia has an embassy in Luanda.
 Spain 19 October 1977 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 October 1977

See Angola–Spain relations

  • Angola has an embassy in Madrid.
  • Spain has an embassy in Luanda.

See also


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