Angolans march and call for elections

LUANDA, Angola, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- More than 1,000 Angolans marched through the capital of Luanda Saturday to urge government officials to set a date for nationwide elections.

The peaceful march was Angola's first authorized anti-government demonstration since the civil war ended 18 months ago, the BBC reported.

Men, women and children danced, sang and chanted during the biggest show of discontent since last April's signing of the peace accord that ended a 27-year civil war.

The protest was organized by several small opposition parties, the BBC said. President Jose Eduardo dos Santos has said it would take two years to prepare the country for an election, Angola's first in more than a decade.

Some of the protesters told the BBC the march was symbolically important because it was the first time they had been authorized to express their feelings.

However, most of them also said they did not believe the government would grant their request.