For Osvaldo Mboco, it is crucial, first and foremost, for Angolan authorities to verify the origin of the two citizens detained in Angola, suspected of criminal association, document forgery, terrorism, and terrorist financing.
"Because they may not be Russian citizens and are simply using Russian passports, that is the first element. The second element is that if the gravity of the facts and the accusations against them are proven, and if they are true and given normal and humanitarian treatment, there will be no diplomatic implications," the analyst stated.
In statements to Lusa, the international relations professor also considered that the Russian Federation has every interest in resolving this case because, he noted, "it can only have diplomatic implications between states if it is concluded that these individuals were acting at the behest of the Russian Federation."
"In other words, this is a Russian state strategy aimed at destabilizing Angola, and it would have profound diplomatic implications and incidents for our relations," he argued.
According to Mboco, if these are merely isolated actions by Russian citizens and their involvement is proven, "it has no implications whatsoever from the point of view of instability in relations between the two states."
He also noted that the Russian Federation, in this case, will want to safeguard the interests of its citizens: "And safeguard the interest of them receiving a fair trial, if held in Angola, serving their sentences fairly in decent prison conditions. At a later date, the case may be sent to Russia for trial."
Two citizens and two other Angolans have been held in pre-trial detention in Luanda on suspicion of criminal association, document forgery, terrorism, and terrorist financing, as announced this week by the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC).
"It is important to emphasize that our investigations have determined that the Russian citizens are operatives for the organization Africa Politology, whose activities, among other things, aim to promote disinformation campaigns, manipulate local media, and infiltrate political processes, especially by fomenting subversion," the SIC statement states.
Osvaldo Mboco also stated that it is premature to speak of any friction between Luanda and Moscow in the context of these arrests, "except in situations where the involvement of high-ranking figures, high-ranking officials, or a Russian strategy to destabilize the Angolan state is identified."
"Then, yes, we will undoubtedly have some friction, and we may also have another friction in the same direction if the Russians realize that there is insufficient evidence regarding the involvement of these individuals in the crimes they are accused of. But we will remain calm and wait for justice to do its work," he concluded.
According to the SIC, the Russians also allegedly handed over "large sums of money, in national and foreign currency, to journalists, politicians, professional associations, and digital content producers to support their operations."
The investigation also found, the SIC continues, that the organization Africa Politology not only operates with digital propaganda and fake news, but also "finances staged demonstrations, corrupts local journalists, and shapes public narratives to further its strategic interests."
