video transcript

Angola's 27-year civil war was brutal. It left half a million dead and decimated infrastructure. Ten years on, Angolans are expected to re-elect President Jose Eduardo dos Santos who has been in charge for 32 years. But critics say his government has done little to reduce poverty and inequality in Africa's number two oil producer. And there are concerns that the vote will not be free and fair. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ELIAS ISAAC, OPEN SOCIETY ANGOLA COUNTRY DIRECTOR, SAYING: "As long as Angola is a good business partner as you know of the EU, of the United States, I don't think that there will be much pressure on the Angolan government. Secondly is the issue of China. I think China's become a big threat to western interests. Western countries do not really want to raise up, you know, critical issues with the Angolan government because they know that they have China who can very easily substitute them." There are no formal observer missions from the European Union or the United States to monitor these elections.