Thousands protest Angola's disputed vote result

Angolan opposition supporters took to the streets to protest the return to power of the long ruling MPLA party in divisive elections last month. The demonstrations were called by UNITA -- the largest opposition party and a former rebel movement which fought a 27-year civil war against the MPLA government that ended in 2002. The opposition National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), whose popularity has been growing in recent years rejected the results of the August 24 vote.

It challenged the outcome in court, but the country's top court dismissed the petition. More than 2,000 protesters came out, some brandishing placards inscribed with slogans such as "respect for the peoples vote" and waving UNITA flags as they marched in downtown Luanda. - AFP