Angolan billionaire Isabel dos Santos, once hailed as “Africa’s richest woman,” has publicly condemned the UK’s recent sanctions against her. In an interview with the BBC, she expressed her surprise at the sanctions, asserting that she has never been convicted of corruption in any jurisdiction.
The UK government labeled dos Santos a “notorious kleptocrat” last month, freezing her assets and imposing a travel ban due to allegations of embezzling vast sums from Angola’s oil resources. Dos Santos, the daughter of Angola’s former president, accused the Angolan government of orchestrating a campaign to damage her reputation, stating, “It’s political at the end of the day.”
In the interview, she emphasized the lack of any formal investigation or due process, insisting that her side of the story has not been heard. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the sanctions as part of a broader initiative to combat “dirty money,” claiming dos Santos abused her positions at state enterprises to divert at least £350 million ($442 million) from Angola.
While Angola’s attorney-general stated they investigate allegations based on evidence, dos Santos maintained that she has faced numerous unproven accusations and that the judicial process has been lacking. UK authorities noted that under the Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations, they can designate individuals suspected of serious corruption, allowing them avenues for review.
The allegations against dos Santos gained traction from the 2020 BBC Panorama investigation, which unveiled unsettling deals tied to her family’s wealth during Angola’s civil unrest. Educated in the UK and owning a diverse business empire, she was once a symbol of economic potential in Angola but now finds herself contested in a political landscape rife with accusations.
In 2016, dos Santos was controversially appointed to head Angola’s troubled state oil company, Sonangol. Following her removal by her father’s successor, President João Lourenço, her assets faced freezing, igniting further scrutiny against her.
Dos Santos expressed frustration about the prolonged freeze on her assets without a court hearing. She alleges that misleading documents, including a fake passport, were used to justify the action against her.
Despite the financial turmoil, including being stripped from Forbes’ billionaire list, dos Santos insists she has been a major contributor to Angola’s economy, creating thousands of jobs. With personal tragedies compounding her challenges, she is now seeking to clarify her narrative amidst the ongoing controversies.
If she returns to Angola, she faces the risk of apprehension, as Interpol has issued a Red Notice at the government’s request. However, she remains resolute about her commitment to Angola, stating her willingness to serve the country, be it in business, politics, or philanthropy.
Credit: BBC News
