The agreement was reached at the third Bilateral Dialogue on Human Rights, held on the 1st of this month and which brought together representatives of both countries, including the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Francisco Queiroz, the Undersecretary of State for the U.S. Office of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Scott Busby, and the U.S. Ambassador to Angola, Nina Maria Fite.
"During the dialogue, the two countries agreed to continue strengthening bilateral cooperation to support Angola's efforts against corruption, increase accountability for human rights violations and abuses, promote democratic governance, and support the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the rights to peaceful assembly and the freedoms of expression, association, religion or belief," the Washington and Luanda joint communiqué said.
Scott Busby praised the "significant progress" the Angolan government has made in combating corruption, "including investigations and prosecutions of current and former members of the government," and the country's new penal code, which "increases penalties for corrupt rulers.
The US representative noted that future local elections, the first in the country, "are an opportunity for Angola to show its commitment to expand its democratic governance.
Bubsy added that positive developments in the field of human rights in Angola may have lasting effects for the Angolan people and to strengthen the country's role as a regional leader.
According to the document, Francisco Queiroz noted that the inauguration of President João Lourenço in 2017 marked the "beginning of a new political cycle" that "brought guarantees that human rights would receive more attention.
Despite the challenges, the minister pointed out that human rights are part of the country's national strategy as a matter of national security.
The communiqué adds that the two delegations reaffirmed their commitment to continue these dialogues in the future.
