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Angola is rebuilding its country after the end of a 27-year civil war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in 1975. Peace seemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, but UNITA renewed fighting after being beaten by the MPLA at the polls. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost - and 4 million people displaced - in the quarter century of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and strengthened the MPLA's hold on power.

A legislative election was held in Angola on September 5 and September 6, 2008, as announced by President José Eduardo dos Santos on December 27, 2007. The 220 seats in the National Assembly were at stake. It was the first election in Angola since 1992 and that election led to the outbreak of the second phase of the Angolan Civil War, which continued until 2002.

Results showed the ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) winning 82% of the vote, far ahead of the main opposition National Union for Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), which won 10%. Human Rights Watch has questioned the legitimacy of this result.