The residents of Cabinda, Angola, rely heavily on the Congolese city of Ponta Negra for trade but face challenges due to customs tariffs at the Massabi border. Despite not being in a free trade zone, the Angolan government has implemented favorable trade conditions for Cabinda. The General Tax Administration has a differentiated tax regime for those living near the border, exempting non-commercial goods from customs duties. However, traders still await the complete removal of customs rates.

On the eve of Angola's general elections, campaign activities have ceased due to a legally imposed reflection period. In Luanda, residents express hope for a peaceful voting process as they prepare to elect the president and 220 parliament members. More than 14 million Angolans are eligible to vote, with over 13,000 polling stations set up, many in schools, but also in day care centers and churches. Some residents express concerns over misinformation, while others look forward to improvements in the country.

UNITA, Angola's main opposition party, concluded its electoral campaign with a rally in Cazenga, Luanda, urging citizens to vote for change. Led by Adalberto Costa Júnior, the party criticized the ruling MPLA's governance, highlighting issues like poverty and corruption. Costa Júnior emphasized the importance of youth in the election and formed a coalition with other opposition groups to strengthen their position. Despite growing support for the opposition, analysts predict an MPLA victory. The article also mentions accusations of voter fraud and the potential for Angola's first female vice-president if the MPLA wins.

Angola is preparing for its fifth general election on August 24, with over 14 million registered voters. The election will determine the new president, members of the National Assembly, and local deputies. The presidential-parliamentary system means the head of the winning party list becomes president. This election introduces remote voting for Angolans living abroad. Key figures explain the election process, including the proportional representation and Hondt methods used for national and provincial constituencies.

The National Electoral Commission (CNE) in Angola has called for political parties to avoid messages that could lead to extremism amid rising tensions in the electoral campaign. The opposition has criticized the electoral process for unequal treatment by public media. The ruling party MPLA, through Manuel Nunes Júnior, has committed to implementing the municipal process in the next legislature, a promise reiterated by candidate João Lourenço at a rally in Dundo, the capital of Lunda Norte.

The longstanding conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Uganda is fueled by racial tensions and mineral wealth, leading to the formation of various militias, including the March 23 Movement (M23) which emerged in 2012. Despite a truce in 2013, M23 resurged in 2021 with allegations of support from Rwanda and Uganda. Angola, leading the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, is actively seeking to mediate the conflict, complicated by significant economic interests in the region's mineral resources.

The longstanding conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Uganda is fueled by racial tensions and mineral wealth, leading to the formation of various militias, including the March 23 Movement (M23) which emerged in 2012. Despite a truce in 2013, M23 resurged in 2021 with allegations of support from Rwanda and Uganda. Angola, leading the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, is actively seeking to mediate the conflict, complicated by significant economic interests in the region's mineral resources.

The lack of infrastructure is a major barrier to intra-African trade. Despite progress in areas such as the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, there is a need for more and better connections to allow goods to cross borders and realize the African Continental Free Trade Area. José Severino, president of the Industrial Association of Angola, highlights that while efforts have been made towards African integration, the objectives are far from being achieved, with infrastructure for trade exchanges being a significant problem.

Angola is set to hold general elections on August 24, as announced by President João Lourenço during the Conselho da República meeting. The pre-election campaign has already been active on the streets. Opposition leader Adalberto da Costa Júnior of UNITA criticizes the electoral process for legal violations and unequal treatment of parties, while Rui Falcão Pinto de Andrade from the ruling MPLA party refutes these accusations, touting the MPLA's organizational capacity and suggesting the opposition is inventing issues.

Angola is set to hold general elections on August 24, as announced by President João Lourenço during the Conselho da República meeting. The pre-election campaign has already been active on the streets. Opposition leader Adalberto da Costa Júnior of UNITA criticizes the electoral process for legal violations and unequal treatment of parties, while Rui Falcão Pinto de Andrade from the ruling MPLA party refutes these accusations, touting the MPLA's organizational capacity and suggesting the opposition is inventing issues.

Angola is considering opening its borders to more Brazilian entrepreneurs interested in the trade sector. A Brazilian couple, who have been in Angola for over 30 years and invested in confectionery and the metallurgical industry, sees potential for this. Ana Alexandre has trained over 300 young people in confectionery in Luanda and employs 40 local staff. Economist Carlos Rosado de Carvalho notes that Brazilian investment in Angola is currently almost non-existent, with AIPEX registering only two Brazilian investments since August 2008. Angola aims to prioritize agro-industry and military security in its strategic partnership with Brazil, which was the first country to recognize Angola's independence and has signed a cooperation agreement on the development of family agriculture in irrigated areas. Carlos Alberto Franco França highlighted the opportunities that the crisis in Europe could create for the partnership between the two countries, mentioning Brazil's superior grain productivity and the potential to replicate its agricultural production conditions in Africa, starting with Angola.

Fishermen in Luanda, Angola, are expressing concerns over trawling by Chinese vessels, which they say have more resources and operate 30 miles off the coast. André Hossi, a local fisherman, notes that a small boat's average production is around 1500 euros, which is shared among the boat's owner and crew. The high cost of fish is causing difficulties for local sellers, impacting their family's livelihood. However, the onset of the cacimbo season has brought some positive news with better and more abundant fish. The recent CPLP Ministers of Maritime Affairs meeting addressed safety and hygiene concerns.

Improved security conditions in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, due to the intervention of SADC and Rwandan military forces, are encouraging the return of multinational energy companies. This return is further motivated by Europe's search for alternatives to Russian natural gas amidst the energy crisis caused by the Russia-Ukraine war. Despite military progress, Mpho Molomo, head of SADC's mission in Mozambique, warns that it's too early to declare an end to terrorism in the region. José de Oliveira, an energy affairs researcher, believes conditions are aligning for companies to return to Cabo Delgado. However, lawyer Alexandre Chivale expresses concerns over a new anti-terrorism law potentially limiting citizens' rights and freedoms.