Angola is a presidential system characterized by a weakly institutionalized parliament ruled by the liberation movement, the MPLA, since independence. UNITA, the largest opposition party in parliament, is also a liberation movement and former belligerent in the protracted Angolan civil war. Despite facing an uneven playing field, the UNITA has seen its seat share in parliament increase in successive post-war elections; and this makes it a relevant case study to understand patterns of elite formation and political representation more broadly. This study asks: Who have composed the UNITA parliamentary elite in Angola in post-civil war legislatures? And how do UNITA MPs perceive representation tasks and engage in constituency-focused activities? To answer these questions, this study carries out a longitudinal study of post-civil war legislatures (2008, 2012, 2017, and 2022), drawing on novel MPs biographical data and interviews. We argue that, following the transition from rebel movement to political party, the parliament became an arena in which UNITA was able to achieve a nationwide reach by integrating MPs with diverse backgrounds and by engaging with constituents. Additionally, while institutional rules favor national over local representation, MPs seem to invest and value links with constituents. This study highlights how nation-wide recruitment and connections with constituents contribute to elite formation.

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Angola,UNITA,parliament,representation,elite.