"The anti-corruption campaign launched by João Lourenço received a boost from recent revelations about how the daughter of the former President of Angola, Isabel dos Santos, built his business empire using public funds. The documents known as 'Luanda Leaks' gave Lourenço the ammunition needed to formally launch a criminal investigation against [Isabel] dos Santos for mismanagement and appropriation of funds while he was president of Sonangol", say Eurasia consultants.
In a note on some economies in sub-Saharan Africa, sent to customers and to which Lusa had access, Eurasia says that the revelations gave João Lourenço “national and international support, by providing concrete evidence that contradicts the claims of Isabel dos Santos de that the campaign is politically motivated ".
These documents, analysts add, led Portugal to freeze the businesswoman's assets, "helping Angola in its effort to recover 1.1 billion dollars from her and her husband, Sindika Dokolo".
The President of Angola, they argue, "will use Isabel dos Santos as a success story in his campaign against corruption and use her to justify further efforts in this regard, solidifying his legacy as a reformer".
On the other hand, they add, "this will also give João Lourenço room for maneuver to use against other members of the political and military elite involved in corruption during José Eduardo dos Santos' 38-year term, increasing the likelihood of cooperating with the Government. to recover stolen assets ".
