Press release 17 July 2008
Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Swedish election observers to Angola

The Government decided today to provide three election observers to the EU election observation mission in Angola. The mission is to monitor the preparations for and implementation of the parliamentary election in the country on 5 September 2008.

The most recent parliamentary election in Angola was held in 1992. The situation in the country has stabilised following the end of the civil war in 2002.

"It is extremely important that parliamentary elections are now held in Angola. Free and fair elections conducted in accordance with international standards are of great significance to strengthening positive democratic development in the country. By sending election monitors to Angola, Sweden will contribute to this development," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

Sida (Swedish International Development cooperation Agency) is responsible for the recruitment and training of Swedish election observers.