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Country Background

Angola is a country located in Central/Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean. Angola is bounded by the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, and Zambia. However, Angola has an additional exclave province (Cabinda) slightly north of greater Angola that is bounded by the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The capital of Angola is Luanda. The official language is Portuguese. Over a quarter of the population also speaks Umbundu. The country’s population in 2017 was approximately 29.3 million. Angola is a predominantly Christian country, with about 41% of the population Roman Catholic and 38% Protestant.

It is important to mention that Angola endured a 27-year long civil war (1973-2002). Despite the post-war economic boom, the decades of conflict have led to over 40% of Angolans living below the poverty line and to widespread unemployment, especially among the large young adult population. 

Constitution & Legal Structure

Angola is referred to as a presidential republic, in which sovereignty belongs to the people and the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. The most recent Constitution was adopted in 2010, and at present, has not been amended. The system of government is based on principles of separation and checks and balances and has three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The legal system of Angola is a civil law system that has been influenced by the Portuguese legal system and customary laws and traditions. 

Islamic law has no constitutional status in Angola. Although Angola's Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, in recent years, there has been a government crackdown on religion in the country (all religions, including Islam). 

Jurisdiction(s) of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no official jurisdiction of operation in Angola. 

Dominant School of Islamic Law

Angola has no official school of Islamic law. The vast majority of Angola's Muslim population is Sunnī.

Sources of Law for Legal Research

Official Publications

• Legislative
  • Unicameral parliament consists of the Assembleia Nacional [National Assembly] 
  • Diário da Republica (official gazette)
• Executive
  • President
  • Government Portal
• Judicial
  
  • Supreme Court - includes judgments of the three chambers comprising the Supreme Court: the Criminal Chamber, Civil and Administrative Chamber, and Working Chamber

Unofficial Databases

• FAOLEX: Angola (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) database of national laws and regulations on food, agriculture, and renewable natural resources.
• NATLEX: Angola (International Labour Organization) database of national laws on labor, social security, and related human rights.
• RefWorld Legal Information: Angola (UNHCR)
• WIPO Lex: Angola (World Intellectual Property Organization)
• GLIN Archive: Angola [1983-2010] (Law Library of Congress) includes summaries; full text is accessible from a Reading Room Court 

References:

For an extended list of legal resources for this country, see the Library of Congress’s Research Guide, and for a narrative review, see the GlobaLex Foreign Law Research Guide (most updated version, where available). The Constitution is available in the LOC Guide in its original language and at Constitute in English translation. For full versions of past constitutions, amendments, and related legislation, see HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated or Oxford Constitutions of the World [subscription required for each].