Edited by Paul Robson

Published in 2001
ISBN: 0-9688786-0-1

In a time described by Angolans as “not peace but not war,” when the peace process begun by the Lusaka Agreement in 1994 was underway, a group of mainly Angolan researchers embarked upon a series of case studies into the possibility of community-based reconstruction in the aftermath of war. How would communities cope with the return of displaced persons and demobilized soldiers? How could external organizations promote sustainable development based on grassroots participation? The researchers set out to collect data that reflected the realities that confronted different communities in this difficult time.

The papers collected here (all translated from the original Portuguese) include an historical analysis of the context within which reconstruction must be carried out, an investigation of community life in the province of Huambo, a report on displaced people in two provinces that examines how they came to be displaced, how they have adjusted to their changed circumstances, and how they see their future prospects, and finally, an analysis of existing organizations, ranging from traditional to governmental, in the capital city of Luanda.

Paul Robson, in an introductory overview, picks out the enduring themes identified by these researchers, all of whom are Angolans whose writings rarely appear in English. Although much has changed in Angola since these studies were carried out, it is clear that the underlying problems – and the emerging outlines of solutions – are sketched accurately and usefully in these pages.

The essays:

“Angola – The Historical Context for Reconstruction” by Maria de Conceicao Neto

“Rural Communities in Huambo” by Fernando Pacheco

“A Life of Improvisation – Displaced People in Malanje and Benguela” by Filomena Andrade with Paulo de Carvalho and Gabriela Cohen

“Communities and Community Institutions in Luanda” by Paul Robson