The Pro.react project (supporting the strengthening of the national asset confiscation system in Angola) was presented this Wednesday in Luanda and will last three years, with a view to "developing an effective system to combat illicit financial flows and contribute to increased economic growth and for poverty reduction in Angola".
The aim is to empower and support 14 Angolan institutions, which perform relevant functions in the fight against illicit financial flows and money laundering: Attorney General for the Republic (PGR), Supreme Court, General Inspection of State Administration (Igae), Court of Relationship of Luanda, Court of Court of Luanda, Financial Information Unit (IFI), Criminal Research Service (SIC), National Police, Information Service and State Safety (SINSE), Migration and Foreign Service, External Intelligence Service (Sie), Institute of Assets Management and State Participation (Igle), Tax General Administration (AGT) and Capital Market Commission (CMC).
The new project will strengthen country's capacities in combating money laundering and confiscation of goods, which can be used in combating other crime, namely corruption and economic crime, according to a statement from European representation in Angola.
Present at the time, the European ambassador, Jeannette Seppen, expressed the EU's commitment to Angola in this "long walk to development and in the fight against corruption in particular", stressing that the pack of 28 has joined its efforts to the Angolan Strengthening the rule of law, being the new project plus a tool to respond to this challenge.
However, she added, the EU "does not intend here" and is being considered significantly higher funding under the next support framework by 2027 in the field of corruption against corruption.
The UN representative Zahira Virani, also a partner in this project, pointed out that international cooperation translates into "an opportunity to achieve the transition" that Angola ambitions and reducing inequalities in the country, enhancing the revenue and resources available to be invested in the Social.
The General Prosecutor of the Republic, Hélda Pitta Grós, in turn, pointed out Angola's alignment with international asset recovery policies, stressing that "today's challenges do not compire with isolated approaches," mainly in relation to illicit flows and financial crime where transnational approach has results visible at internal and international level
On the other hand, the Minister of Justice, Francisco Queirós, indicated that this struggle should not address only criminals and their global connections, but also to governments that "by the fragility of their institutions, or economic interests associated with Financial flows of illicit origin", end up favoring transnational criminals.
