Speaking to Lusa, a source linked to the investigation said that the process was divided into two parts: "The part relating to Carlos Vila Nova and Américo Ramos ended with a filing order. Given the origin of the money, another part was referred to international cooperation in the criminal matters for Angola, where joint work has been carried out with the Angolan authorities".
The position of the Attorney General of the Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe comes a day after the Sao Tome prime minister, Jorge Bom Jesus, asked the Court to resolve the financial scandals involving former prime minister Patrice Trovada and others associated with the current government, including the management of covid-19 funds and the construction of infrastructure.
Bom Jesus was reacting to a news article published by Angolan journalist Rafael Marques that brought up again the alleged corruption case in the amount of US$30 million involving former Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada (2014-2018) and the company China International Fund ( CIF).
"I am concerned as a citizen, as a ruler, as a patriot that issues like these constantly appear to pinch the image of São Tomé and Príncipe, which is why I ask the courts that all these problems be quickly resolved in the proper spheres so that we can bury once and for all, all these financial scandals", said the head of government.
In addition to this case involving Patrice Trovoada, the prime minister defended that “the specific cases must be pointed out” that contribute “to continuing to label São Tomé and Príncipe a corrupt country” and that the Government itself wants to see clarified.
On his blog 'Maka Angola', Rafael Marques – who was recently in São Tomé and Príncipe – published an article entitled “Angola and the Hidden Debt of São Tomé”, indicating that on 25 July 2015 – during the government headed by Patrice Trovoada and of which Vila Nova and Américo Ramos were ministers, respectively with the portfolios of Infrastructure and Finance - "China-Sonangol Investment transferred, from Indonesia, the amount of 10 million dollars to the account of the Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe in the Portuguese bank Caixa Geral de Depósitos".
"This amount was part of a credit agreement, totaling US$30 million, between the China International Fund (CIF) and the Sao Tome government. The remaining US$20 million 'disappeared', 'disappeared', have 'evolved', and the government of São Tomé does not know how to ask for them, or who to pay the debt of 10 million dollars. A case that is at least ridiculous, and which involves Angola through the [state ] Sonangol," he added.
According to the same publication, the loan was intended for the construction of a new administrative center and residences for civil servants in the capital, São Tomé, and was due to be repaid by 2036, after a five-year grace period, with an annual interest rate of 1 percent.
"China-Sonangol Investment is a consortium between the Angolan oil company Sonangol and CIF, forming part of a web of private interests with companies called Sonangol, based in Indonesia, China and Singapore", continued Rafael Marques.
According to 'Maka Angola', the National Assembly of São Tomé and Príncipe clarified, in 2019, that "after searching the database of the legislative process, 'any proposal for a resolution' about the loan agreement between the State of São Tomé e Príncipe and the CIF", although Sao Tome legislation provides that "loan agreements to the State of Sao Tome and Principe must be submitted for approval" by parliament.
