Friends of Angola

By IMF Mr. Tao Zhang, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), issued the following statement today: “We have received a letter from the Angolan authorities for IMF staff to initiate discussions on an economic program that could be supported by the Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI). [1] “The Government of President Lourenço has…

By CPJ New York, April 16, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned a decision by Angolan authorities to continue the trial of journalists Rafael Marques de Morais, who runs the anti-corruption news website Maka Angola, and Mariano Bras Lourenco, a correspondent for the newspaper O Crime, behind closed doors instead of in open court….

Port Louis (Reuters) – Mauritius has frozen bank accounts and suspended business licenses linked to Quantum Global Investment Management, a firm through which Angola’s sovereign wealth fund invests much of its cash, according to a court document and a regulatory source. Quantum Global, which said it was cooperating with authorities, is run by Jean-Claude Bastos…

BY AFP Angolan teachers on Monday began a planned three-week strike for higher pay, in President Joao Lourenco’s first major labour challenge since he came to power in September. Lourenco took over after Jose Eduardo dos Santos had ruled the country for 38 years. He has vowed to revive the oil-dependent economy and improve funding…

BY AFP The son of Angola’s former president Jose Eduardo dos Santos planned to siphon off $1.5 billion when he ran the oil-rich country’s sovereign wealth fund, the finance ministry said Monday. The figure is three times higher than an initial sum illegally transferred to a London bank. Jose Filomeno dos Santos is accused of…

BY ERNEST MABUZA – Sunday Times Nomzamo Winifred Madikizela-Mandela‚ a stalwart in the fight against apartheid‚ has died at the age of 81. Her PA‚ Zodwa Zwane‚ confirmed the struggle veteran’s death on Monday afternoon. She said the family would issue a statement later in the day. Born in Bizana in the Eastern Cape in…