Since 30 September, Angola has a new prime minister, António Paulo Kassoma. The former prime minister, Fernando Dias dos Santos, became president of the Assembly.

The change follows the recent legislative election. I admit to knowing absolutely nothing about why Prime Minister Kassoma was appointed, apart from the fact that he was ‘chosen’ by the Politburo of the MPLA and that his nomination was ratified, in effect, by the president. This is in total conformity with the Constitution, but obviously it masks the political reasons that guided the party to choose Kassoma.

Given the MPLA won over 86% of the vote at the election, all else equal, one might feel a little sorry for ex-Prime Minister dos Santos. All things considered, it wasn’t a bad result!