ANGOLA: Efforts to Combat Organized Crime and Corruption Continue Amidst Challenges

Luanda - As Angola struggles with the growing threat of organized crime and corruption, local nationals have been at the forefront of efforts to combat these issues. Despite significant challenges, the government has made progress in recent years, but much work remains to be done.

Gangs Emerge in Urban Centers

In recent years, there has been evidence of mafia-style groups emerging in urban centers, particularly in Luanda. These groups are involved in multiple criminal markets, including drug trafficking and firearms trade. They have gained access to weapons left over from the civil war and arms from private security companies.

However, according to local sources, these groups do not yet have strong control over their territories, with no reported extortion activities.
In 2021 and 2022, Angolan authorities dismantled multiple small mafia-style groups, but the nature of these groups and their involvement in criminal markets remains unclear.

Corruption Remains a Major Challenge

Despite government efforts to combat corruption, many Angolans still perceive corruption as widespread. The president’s popularity has decreased, partly due to the country’s economic situation and perceived lack of tangible improvements in citizens’ lives.

The institutional anti-corruption framework remains inadequate, with government transparency and accountability poor.
Access to relevant information is limited, and investigation and judicial processes are lengthy and bureaucratic.

Efforts to Combat Organized Crime

Angola has ratified nine major international legal instruments to combat organized crime and is a party to the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and its three protocols. The country has also increased international cooperation with other countries and regional bodies to combat organized crime.

Domestically, Angola’s legislative framework relating to organized crime is relatively robust, with notable criminal markets controlled by legislation.
However, the judiciary remains weak, with inappropriate executive control and a lack of human and financial resources.

Police Impunity and Border Control Challenges

The police continue to collaborate with foreign counterparts and INTERPOL to combat organized crime, but their efficacy is impeded by corruption and a lack of resources and training. There are concerns about police impunity, especially in light of an increase in arbitrary arrests and extra-judicial killings.

Angola’s extensive borders and long coastline pose significant challenges for border control.
While the country has made efforts to improve border security, corruption remains a major challenge.

Government support for human trafficking victims is ineffective, with limited resources and staff to investigate claims. The few legal frameworks in place for victim support are not efficient in practice due to limited financial resources.

In an effort to combat organized crime, Angola has created an Interministerial Committee Against Environmental Crimes and related Wild Fauna and Flora, as well as a National Plan of Action to Combat Human Trafficking.

Freedom of Press Remains Limited

Despite improvements made by the current leadership, freedom of press remains limited. Criminal defamation laws and cyber-attacks are used to censor journalists, with physical persecution and intimidation of various journalists, academics, and youth organizations also reported.

Civil society has been granted more leeway in recent years, but it remains weak and its protest actions are often suppressed.
The government has an antagonistic relationship with civil society, making it challenging for organizations to operate effectively.

As Angola continues to grapple with organized crime and corruption, local nationals will play a crucial role in efforts to combat these issues. It is essential that the government prioritizes transparency, accountability, and effective governance to address the root causes of these challenges.