France, Nov. 11 -- Angola declared its independence from Portugal on 11 November, 1975. But in a country where the majority of the population was born after the civil war, the celebrations give rise to a question: what does it mean to be free when peace has not brought the promised prosperity?

The promises made in 1975 painted a picture of an egalitarian state, capable of repairing five centuries of domination and transforming political freedom into social justice.

The Angola of 2025 is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas and diamonds. Its capital, Luanda, is dotted with steel and glass towers Almost 70 percent of its 37 million inhabitants are under 30 - a dynamic, urban population.

However, the United NationsHuman Developme...