Angolan president quits after 38 years — but his ally is warming up

President Jose Eduardo dos Santos of Angola has announced his decision to step down after 38 years in power.

dos Santos disclosed this on Friday while addressing members of his ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola party (MPLA).

Following his decision to quit, Joao Lourenco, Angola’s defence minister, will be taking over leadership of the party.

According to the country’s law, the leader of the majority party automatically becomes Angola’s president.

Lourenco, 62, is married with six sons. He speaks Portuguese, English, Russian and Spanish.

The former MPLA secretary-general is credited with a political career not rooted in his family’s ties.

He family has no links with the traditional ruling party bigwigs.

Santos has been accused of  ruling the south African state with iron hands and favouritism.

He was blamed for appointing Isabel dos Santos, his daughter, as head of the state oil company Sonangol.

Isabel who was named by Forbes magazine as Africa’s richest woman, is said to worth an estimated $3.3bn.

Her representatives have however denied the influence of her father’s position on her wealth.

Angola is blessed with oil and diamond.