Angola’s Underbelly: Mafia-Style Gangs Emerge in Urban Centers

Luanda - In recent years, evidence has been emerging that mafia-style groups are slowly gaining traction in Angola’s urban centers, particularly in Luanda. These gangs have been involved in a range of criminal activities, including drug trafficking and firearms trading.

Contributing Factors

Weak police presence in poor neighborhoods
High level of gang violence and homicide

Despite government efforts to combat organized crime and corruption, many Angolans believe that the fight against corruption is weak and that the president is using it as a political tool rather than a genuine effort to eradicate graft. The country’s institutional anti-corruption framework remains inadequate, with transparency and accountability issues plaguing the government.

Leadership and Governance

President João Lourenço has maintained his strong stance against organized crime and corruption, but critics argue that he is not doing enough to transform the country’s political and economic systems.
Many Angolans report a decline in corruption, but most believe that the government’s performance in fighting it remains weak.
The president’s popularity has decreased due to the country’s economic woes, excessive focus on dismantling the influence of the previous regime, and lack of tangible improvements in citizens’ lives.

Criminal Justice and Security

The judiciary is not independent, with judges nominated by the executive and rewarded with favorable positions for compliance.
The judicial system lacks resources and human resources, leading to overcrowded prisons and basic human rights violations.
The police are working to improve their capacity, but corruption and lack of resources hinder their effectiveness.

Economic and Financial Environment

Despite high-profile prosecutions for money laundering, Angola remains vulnerable to the crime.
However, there is increased political will to tackle it, with cooperation with international counterparts such as Portugal and the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering.
Doing business in Angola presents significant challenges due to poor land and property rights, institutionalized corruption, and lack of oversight measures.

Government support for human trafficking victims is ineffective, with no reported referrals for care.
The few legal frameworks in place for victim support are not efficient due to limited resources.
Freedom of the press remains limited, with criminal defamation laws and cyber-attacks used to censor journalists.

Conclusion

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As Angola grapples with these complex issues, it is clear that a comprehensive approach is needed to address the root causes of organized crime, corruption, and human rights violations. A combination of increased transparency, accountability, and cooperation with international organizations will be crucial in tackling these challenges and building a more stable and prosperous future for its citizens.