Oil-rich Angola aims to roll out measures to boost productivity in its agriculture sector and curb its dependence on food imports, but there are concerns price hikes will harm the poor. Before its independence in 1975, Angola was an agricultural powerhouse known for its coffee and rubber production. It left the southwestern African country heavily reliant on food imports, which account for 90 percent total food consumed. In the first nine months of last year, Angola spent over $3.6 billion on imported food and drinks alone, according to the trade ministry.

Angola on Wednesday announced $10 million in aid for the strife-torn Central African Republic, with a possible credit line in the future, during a visit by Bangui's president. Joaquim do Espirito Santo, Africa director in the foreign affairs ministry, told Angolan television that the aid was to support the transitional government and to respond to the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Making an official two-day visit to Luanda, Central Africa's interim President Catherine Samba Panza said there were "still peaks of violence" but that the general situation was beginning to come under control.

Johannesburg (AFP) - Angolan clubs Petro Atletico and Desportivo Huila advanced to the first round of the CAF Confederation Cup at the weekend after stirring displays.

The editor of an opposition-backed radio station in Angola will appear in court Thursday, apparently on defamation charges, after he tried to investigate screams coming from a police station. Queiros Anastacio Chiluvia, managing editor of Radio Despertar, was arrested without charge on Sunday, according to the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), a rights organisation. "He had heard cries coming from within the police station when he passed by. He went to the entrance to find out what was going on and ask the police's version of events but was then detained," said Alexandre Neto Solombe of MISA.