Opinion: Is oil-rich Angola a development success?

By Arne Wiig and Ivar Kolstad, Special to CNN

Updated 1432 GMT (2232 HKT) August 30, 2012

Angola has embarked on a major reconstruction program following the end of a 27-year vicious civil war in 2002. The oil-rich country holds general elections Friday.
Photos: Angola rises from the ashes of 27-year civil war
Angola's construction boom – Angola has embarked on a major reconstruction program following the end of a 27-year vicious civil war in 2002. The oil-rich country holds general elections Friday.
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Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, 70, has been in power since 1979. Analysts expect his party, MPLA, to win Friday's elections.
Photos: Angola rises from the ashes of 27-year civil war
President Jose Eduardo dos Santos – Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, 70, has been in power since 1979. Analysts expect his party, MPLA, to win Friday's elections.
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MPLA supporters attend Wednesday the final rally of President dos Santos in Kilamba Kaixi on the outskirts of Luanda, Angola's capital.
Photos: Angola rises from the ashes of 27-year civil war
Support for MPLA – MPLA supporters attend Wednesday the final rally of President dos Santos in Kilamba Kaixi on the outskirts of Luanda, Angola's capital.
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Thousands of Angolans take part in a demonstration in Luanda organized by the main opposition party, UNITA, to ask for free and fair elections on May 19, 2012.
Photos: Angola rises from the ashes of 27-year civil war
UNITA demonstration – Thousands of Angolans take part in a demonstration in Luanda organized by the main opposition party, UNITA, to ask for free and fair elections on May 19, 2012.
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UNITA leader Isaias Samakuva (center), delivers a speech during the May 19 demonstration. The opposition has repeatedly expressed concerns about the electoral process.
Photos: Angola rises from the ashes of 27-year civil war
Opposition leader Isaias Samakuva – UNITA leader Isaias Samakuva (center), delivers a speech during the May 19 demonstration. The opposition has repeatedly expressed concerns about the electoral process.
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Dos Santos casts his ballot on September 05, 2008, at the polling station behind the presidential palace in Luanda. MPLA won the last elections with a landslide 82% of the vote.
Photos: Angola rises from the ashes of 27-year civil war
2008 elections – Dos Santos casts his ballot on September 05, 2008, at the polling station behind the presidential palace in Luanda. MPLA won the last elections with a landslide 82% of the vote.
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