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Angola Grapples with Rise of Criminal Actors

Luanda, Angola - A growing number of small mafia-style groups have emerged in Angola’s urban centers, including Luanda, engaging in various criminal activities such as theft and extortion. The authorities are struggling to contain the situation, with a worrying trend of collaboration between thieves and banks, where individuals withdrawing large sums of money have been targeted.

Criminal Groups’ Powerbase

The criminal groups have access to weapons left over from the country’s civil war and those obtained from corrupt security companies. The weak police presence in poor urban neighborhoods has contributed to the emergence of these groups, leading to extremely high levels of violence.

State-Embedded Actors Remain Major Threat

Despite efforts by President João Lourenço to combat corruption, state-embedded actors continue to pose a significant threat. The anti-corruption drive has led to the indictment of several high-profile individuals, including former President’s daughter Isabel Dos Santos, who faces charges of embezzlement and money laundering.

Several business leaders and senior government officials are also facing similar charges, with some already convicted of money laundering.
Critics argue that while the current prosecutions are high profile, they may be selective and will not fundamentally alter the structure of state capture.

Foreign Criminal Actors Active

Foreign criminal actors, including nationals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) involved in illegal diamond mining, are also active in Angola. The country’s extensive borders and long coastline make it challenging to police, with smugglers exploiting the situation to facilitate irregular migration across the border.

The Angolan authorities have been working with their Congolese counterparts to combat cross-border crimes, particularly around the illegal diamond trade.

Economic and Financial Environment Challenging

Angola’s economy is vulnerable to corrupt elites, which has lowered business confidence. The oil price shock in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic put a significant strain on the economy. The country is also acutely vulnerable to money laundering, with an estimated $17 billion funneled out of the country by corrupt networks of government officials and European banks over the last five years.

Despite efforts to support victims of trafficking and modern slavery, Angola still has a lot to do. The country meets only a third of international mechanisms agreed on to support victims exiting modern slavery. However, there have been improvements in supporting victims of trafficking, including the creation of a witness protection program.

The civil society remains weak, with protest actions often suppressed and an antagonistic relationship with the government.
Freedom of the press is still limited, with ongoing criminal defamation laws leading to censorship of journalists.

Conclusion

Angola’s struggle against criminal actors is far from over. The country needs to strengthen its institutions, including the police and judiciary, to combat corruption and organized crime effectively. The government must also work towards improving the economic and financial environment, making it more conducive for businesses to thrive. Ultimately, Angola can only overcome these challenges by working together with civil society and international partners.