According to a statement by the President's Civil House, released after João Lourenço's meeting with Félix Tshisekedi in Benguela, the heads of state took the opportunity to talk about the fight against corruption and to analyze the consequences of the decision of the Luanda Provincial Court of 30 December 2019, which imposed the seizure of personal bank accounts of the daughter of former Angolan President and her husband, Sindika Dokolo, as well as nine companies in which the businesswoman owns stakes.
The note sent to Lusa says that "the heads of state considered that there was great magnanimity on the part of the Angolan state" in establishing a period of six months for the repatriation of capital, "opportunity not taken in due time".
“They also considered that, one year after the end of this period of grace, the Angolan State, in the defense of the interests of the injured, the Angolans, has all the legitimacy to bring about the legal, judicial, diplomatic and other means it deems necessary to ensure the effective repatriation of illicitly placed capital outside the country and to provide for the recovery of property on national territory”, he continues.
During the meeting, the leaders "stressed that the best way for those targeted will be the maximum collaboration with the competent authorities of the state and with the Angolan Justice”.
In this regard, João Lourenço called for international cooperation “in order to support the effort to fight corruption and impunity in Angola” and emphasized to his counterpart that Angola observes the separation of powers, assuring that “the executive does not interfere with the action of Justice”.
The Heads of State also addressed oil exploration in the Common Interest Zone (ZIC) of the two countries and agreed that the technical teams of Angola and DR Congo will meet shortly to establish the action schedule needed to implement a joint project.
