Angola's veteran President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, in office since 1979 and Africa's second-longest serving leader, on Friday announced he will leave politics in 2018, after his current mandate ends.

"I have taken the decision to quit political life in 2018," the 73-year-old leader told the ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) party politburo in the capital Luanda.

His mandate ends in late 2017, but he did not indicate why he would leave the year after.

In power for nearly four decades as president, dos Santos has consolidated power in his political office while his family has amassed a vast business empire.

He added another five years to his reign by taking a large victory in disputed election in 2012, but since has faced growing discontent from the nation's youth.

Critics accuse dos Santos of overseeing corruption, misrule, arbitrary arrests and intimidation.
Source: AFP