UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO 20 July 2011 Open Source Center Analysis

Angola -- Government Clamp Down on Protests Suggests Concern About Possible Unrest

The Angolan Government has employed disproportionate measures to contain small-scale protests by a newly formed activist group, the Revolutionary Movement for Social Intervention (MRIS). The government had earlier warned against Arab Spring- style uprisings, suggesting the authorities will continue to clamp down on protests.

MRIS Promotes Awareness of Civil Freedoms -- Luis Bernardo Domingos and popular rappers Henrique Luaty da Silva Beirao and Dionisio Casimiro 'Carbono' appear to be the leaders of the MRIS, an activist group launched in mid March to promote "peaceful protest" and allow "citizens the opportunity and duty to show their opinion and discontent." 123 Bernardo on 28 May told Angolense, a private weekly often critical of the government, that "revolt is the only way of getting the MPLA out of power."4 The MRIS organized two protests on 2 April and 25 May that received limited support but the group reportedly plans to hold more protests in August. 5 The MRIS largely employs social media to garner support and circumvent the country's tightly-controlled traditional media environment.

Government Cracks Down, Allegedly Spreads Misinformation -- The Angolan Government reacted strongly to the protests,a portraying the MRIS as a threat to public security. The authorities arrested several MRIS demonstrators, cast the group in a negative light in state-owned media, and allegedly spread misinformation about the MRIS.

x On 24 May Club-K, an Angolan Diaspora website providing unique reporting on Angolan issues, reported that police arrested Bernardo, saying he was "dragged from his home" and "beaten by the police."6 In a 25 May report, Club-K noted that police arrested -- but later released -- 20 protest organizers and participants, including Beirao.7

x Lusa, a -based press agency reporting on Lusophone affairs, on 30 March reported that the ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of (MPLA) organized a countermarch that coincided with the MRIS demonstration. Lusa reported on 2 March that the MPLA urged its supporters to be "vigilant" against "opportunists with ulterior motives."89

x A 26 May editorial in Jornal de Angola -- a state-owned known to portray the government's position -- condemned the MRIS march, saying it "deserve[s] the contempt of all Angolans" claiming they "insult, attack, make death threats, and call for the destruction of public property".10 Jornal de Angola claimed that some 100 people

a Characteristically, the authorities ban popular demonstrations not organized by pro-government groups, even though the constitution allows for public demonstrations. (Article 47, http://www.comissaoconstitucional.ao). It is unclear why the government permitted the 2 April MRIS protest (AFP20110331503002).

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marched to the homes of the MRIS leaders on 2 June, demanding payment for their participation in the 25 May demonstration.11

x On 24 May, state-owned broadcaster Televisao Publica de Angola (TPA) showed what they claimed were MRIS pamphlets displaying text that said, "let’s go to war," "people are going to die," and "let’s raid schools, cause riots."12 Beirao told Lusa on 26 May that the MPLA had "adulterated" the pamphlets and claimed they had not written these messages because he says the group wants "what is right and peaceful."13

MRIS Protests Draw Limited Support -- The strong government reaction to the MRIS protests appears to be disproportionate given the small size of protests and of the group itself. The group is trying to extend its reach by promoting its activities on social media platforms. The youth and opposition parties have said they sympathize with the group's aims, but this has not yet translated into larger protests.

x The MRIS published an announcement in Club-k calling for a "peaceful and apolitical" demonstration in Luanda on 2 April.14 O Apostolado, an independent Catholic newspaper known to provide independent reporting, on 4 April noted that "about 50 young people turned up 'timidly'," but this number later increased to "more than 100."15

x The group organized another demonstration on 25 May to call for an end to poverty. Beirao told Lusa on 26 May that the march drew between 800 and 1,000 people.16 However, AFP on the same day reported that only 100 people attended the protest.17

Click here and here to view YouTube videos posted by Casimiro under the username of dgccarbono calling for protest and images of attendance at the 2 April demonstration.18

x Despite Angola's low internet penetration,b the MRIS uses its website, Central7311 (www.centralangola7311.net) as a platform where "the youth, a discontented, tired and revolted minority" can discuss the socio-political situation in Angola."19 The MRIS

b Internet access of Angola is only about 4.6 percent and is mostly limited to the capital, Luanda (http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats1.htm ). The government is planning to pass legislation to control internet crime, including "dissemination of information with the goal of damaging national integrity or independence, to destroy, alter or subvert state institutions" (AFP20110405530004).

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Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/#!/CentralAngola)c has 270 followers, including prominent journalistsd and its Twitter account (http://twitter.com/#!/Central7311) provides real time updates of MRIS protests to its 58 followers.20

x Privately owned weeklies Novo Jornal and Angolense reported on 27 and 28 May that "senior" members of several opposition parties attended the 25 May demonstration.2122 The Democratic Block, an opposition whose leadership is comprised of several of the country's leading academics, issued a communique on 9 June"[expressing] its feelings of deep communion" with the MRIS.23

Government Draws Parallels Between MRIS, North African Uprisings -- The strong government reaction to the MRIS may be motivated by uprisings in North Africa and the role that social media played in mobilizing large numbers of people. This suggests that the government will continue to clamp down on similar protests.

x Gaspar Luemba, who claims to be an MRIS leader told credible investigative weekly, Semanario Angolense on 1 July that another demonstration will be held in August to demand the redistribution of land, but the report did not provide any further indication of when this demonstration would be held.24

x President Jose Eduardo dos Santos stated on 15 April that groups organized via the internet are deliberately organizing protests to "bring down elected governments, according to Angolan state-owned press agency, Angop.25

x On 1 March the MPLA provincial secretary, Bento Bento, responded to calls for a protest on 7 March, largely organized via social media platformse saying that the MPLA "warned that what is taking place in the Arab countries cannot reach Angola."26

c Only users who request access to the page can view its contents. d These journalists include Celso Malavoloneke, Ismael Mateus, Jose Eduardo Agualusa and internationally recognized activist and blogger Rafael Marques de Morais. For more information see the 3 May OSC Media Aid: Angola -- Journalist Reports Uniquely on Corruption, Rights Abuses (AFF20110503587002)

e An unorganized group thought to be precursors to the MRIS organized a demonstration on 7 March calling for President dos Santos to step down. The police cracked down on the demonstration arresting the first protestors to arrive at the venue (AFP20110307503001)

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1 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110614503008 | 28 May 2011 | | Angola: Protesters Demand Homes, Water, Jobs, Freedom | | (U) | (U) | Luanda Angolense in Portuguese -- Privately owned weekly carrying independent reporting on political and social issues] 2 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110620584002 | 18 June 2011 | | Angola: Ruling Party Warns Demonstrators to Be Sued if Public Order Disrupted | | (U) | (U) | Luanda Angop in Portuguese -- Government-controlled agency providing initial reporting on breaking events; URL: http://ww.angolapress-angop.ao] 3 [OSC | | Radio Ecclesia | | 29 March 2011 | | http://www.radioecclesia.org/index.php?option=com_rokdownloads&view=file&task=play&Itemid=469&id=163 66:jovens-de-diferentes-estratos-sociais-decidiram-sair-a-rua-no-proximo-sabado-dia-2-de-abril-para-exigir-das- autoridades-a-liberdade-de-expressao-mais-dados-com-o-anastacio-sassemblele | 7 July 2011 | Luanda Radio Ecclesia in Portuguese -- Catholic radio station with limited coverage outside of Luanda providing programming on religion, politics and social issues. Live debates regularly host government sympathizers, critics, and civil society organization members] 4 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110614503008 | 28 May 2011 | | Angola: Protesters Demand Homes, Water, Jobs, Freedom | | (U) | (U) | Luanda Angolense in Portuguese -- Privately owned weekly carrying independent reporting on political and social issues] 5 [Newspaper | Pascoal Mukuna | Semanario Angolense | "Big Protest" in August | 2 July 2011 | | | 11 July 2011 | Luanda Semanario Angolense in Portuguese -- Weekly paper bought out in June 2010 by Media Investments, a company with alleged ties to Military Household Chief Helder Vieira Dias 'Kopelipa.' The paper carried respected investigative reporting on political, economic and social issues] 6 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110525503003 | 24 May 2011 | | Angola: Police Arrest Young Man Organizing Anti- poverty Protest | | (U) | (U) | Club-K in Portuguese -- Website carrying credible unique and re-hosted news and commentary on Angola, aimed at Angolans living abroad; URL: http://www.club-k-angola.com] 7 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110526503010 | 25 May 2011 | | Angola: Police Arrest Wife of Former Party Official for Taking Part in Protest | | (U) | (U) | Club-K in Portuguese -- Website carrying credible unique and re-hosted news and commentary on Angola, aimed at Angolans living abroad; URL: http://www.club-k-angola.com] 8 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110331503003 | 30 March 2011 | | Angola: MPLA Organizes Event on Same Day as March for Freedom of Expression | | (U) | (U) | Lisbon Lusa in Portuguese -- government-owned news agency; URL: http://www.lusa.pt] 9 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110404530002 | 2 April 2011 | | Angola: Ruling Party Leader Warns Population To Be Aware of 'Opportunists' | | (U) | (U) | Lisbon Lusa News Agency in Portuguese -- Government-owned news agency; URL: http://www.lusa.pt] 10 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110526530005 | 26 May 2011 | | Angola: Editorial Accuses Opposition Parties of Inciting Young People To Riot | | (U) | (U) | Luanda Jornal de Angola Online in Portuguese -- Website of government-controlled daily newspaper carrying reporting and commentary on breaking news. Its print version is the only nationally distributed daily newspaper; URL: http://www.jornaldeangola.com] 11 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110608584001 | 3 June 2011 | | Angola: Youngsters Demand Pay for Participating in Government Demonstration | | (U) | (U) | Luanda Jornal de Angola Online in Portuguese -- Website of government-controlled daily newspaper carrying reporting and commentary on breaking news. Its print version is the only nationally distributed daily newspaper; URL: http://www.jornaldeangola.com] 12 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110602530001 | 29 May 2011 | | Angola: Panelists Debate New Protest Movement, Government Reaction | | (U) | (U) | Luanda Televisao Publica de Angola in Portuguese -- Government-controlled public television providing news and entertainment programming] 13 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110527503007 | 26 May 2011 | | Angola: Organizers of Protest Against Poverty Say 20 People Were Arrested | | (U) | (U) | Lisbon Lusa News Agency in Portuguese -- government-owned news agency; URL: http://www.lusa.pt]14 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110329503005 | 27 March 2011 | | Angola: Luanda's Youth To March on 2 April for Freedom of Expression | | (U) | (U) | Club-K in Portuguese -- Website carrying credible unique and re-hosted news and commentary on Angola, aimed at Angolans living abroad; URL: http://www.club-k-angola.com] 15 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110404503001 | 4 April 2011 | | Angola: 100 Young People Gather for March in Luanda on 2 April | | (U) | (U) | Luanda O Apostolado in Portuguese -- Website sponsored by the Roman Catholic

This OSC product is based exclusively on the content and behavior of selected media and has not been coordinated with other US Government components. UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO 4 UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO

Church providing relevant reporting and commentary on political and social developments. A print edition is published monthly; URL: http://www.apostolado-angola.org] 16 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110527503007 | 26 May 2011 | | Angola: Organizers of Protest Against Poverty Say 20 People Were Arrested | | (U) | (U) | Lisbon Lusa News Agency in Portuguese -- government-owned news agency; URL: http://www.lusa.pt] 17 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110527521001 | 26 May 2011 | | Angola: Police Arrest, Release Over 20 Anti- Poverty Protestors in Luanda | | (U) | (U) | AFP (World Service) in English -- world news service of the independent French news agency Agence Presse] 18 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110519587003 | 10 May 2011 | | Angola Video: Youth Movement Calls for Demonstration Against Poverty on 25 May | | (U//FOUO) | (U//FOUO) | YouTube in English -- Website providing a platform for sharing, viewing, and reviewing videos; URL: http://www.youtube.com] 19 [Internet Site | | Central7311 | | | | http://centralangola7311.net/about/ | 1 July 2011 | ] 20 [Internet Site | Central Angola | Facebook | | | | http://www.facebook.com/CentralAngola#!/CentralAngola?sk=info | 27 June 2011 | ] 21 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110612584002 | 27 May 2011 | | Angola: Opposition Criticizes 'Repressive' Police Action against Demonstrators | | (U) | (U) | Luanda Novo Jornal in Portuguese -- Respected weekly newspaper directed by prominent journalist Victor Silva and owned by New Media Angola, carrying investigative reporting on pertinent political, social and economic issues. The president's daughter, Isabel dos Santos and Military Household Chief Helder Vieira Dias 'Kopelipa' have alleged interests in this paper, although it aims to be "independent from political and party powers."] 22 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110614503008 | 28 May 2011 | | Angola: Protesters Demand Homes, Water, Jobs, Freedom | | (U) | (U) | Luanda Angolense in Portuguese -- Privately owned weekly carrying independent reporting on political and social issues] 23 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110614503007 | 9 June 2011 | | Angola: Democratic Bloc Criticizes State Newspaper for Framing Rapper | | (U) | (U) | Club-K in Portuguese -- Website carrying credible unique and re-hosted news and commentary on Angola, aimed at Angolans living abroad; URL: http://www.club-k-angola.com] 24 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110717572003 | 1 July 2011 | | Angola: Youth Leader Announces To Hold Protests Against Economic Inequality Aug | | (U) | (U) | Luanda Semanario Angolense in Portuguese -- Weekly paper bought out in June 2010 by Media Investments, a company with alleged ties to Military Household Chief Helder Vieira Dias 'Kopelipa.' The paper carried respected investigative reporting on political, economic and social issues] 25 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110418584001 | 15 April 2011 | | Angolan President Addresses MPLA Meeting, Notes Need to Reduce Poverty | | (U) | (U) | Luanda Angop in Portuguese -- Government-controlled news agency providing initial reporting on breaking events; URL: http://ww.angolapress-angop.ao] 26 [OSC | | OSC ID: AFP20110302530005 | 1 March 2011 | | Angola: Ruling MPLA Accuses Western Powers of 'Fomenting Discord' Inside Country | | (U) | (U) | Luanda Televisao Publica de Angola in Portuguese -- Government-controlled public television providing news and entertainment programming]

This OSC product is based exclusively on the content and behavior of selected media and has not been coordinated with other US Government components. UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO 5