The African Studies Association (US) is deeply concerned about the recent dismissal of Dr. Paulo Faria from his appointment at Agostinho Neto University in Angola. Dr. Faria is one of Angola’s leading political scientists. In recent times he has called attention to the lack of transparency in the University’s appointments procedure. His dismissal from the University’s service appears to have been occasioned by his advocacy in this connection.
As our colleagues on the Editorial Board of the
Journal of Southern African Studies note, the dismissal of this leading scholar is a threat to academic freedom in Angola and a regressive step in Angola’s public life.
The African Studies Association wishes to associate itself with the concerns expressed in the letter recently sent to Angola’s Ministry of Higher Education by the editors of the
Journal of Southern African Studies. We urge the University to reconsider the dismissal of Dr. Faria.
The statement of the editors of the
Journal of Southern African Studies can be found
here.
