Once Africa’s richest woman sanctioned by US for corruption

The Department of State announced on Thursday, December 9, 2021, that Isabel dos Santos, daughter of former Angolan President had been indicted in corrupt practices.

“Isabel dos Santos, former Chair of an Angolan state-owned enterprise, for her involvement in significant corruption by misappropriating public funds for her personal benefit,” a release read.

Isabel has faced one financial problem after the other since her father stepped down as President of Angola in 2017. She is the subject of multiple lawsuits at home and abroad.

She has stepped down from influential positions that she used to hold in government offices including as head of Soanagol – the national oil company.

In early 2021, a French court ordered her to forfeit in excess of 340 million dollars to a state-linked entity.

Isabel was also at the center of ‘Luanda Leaks,’ an investigative work that uncovered how she won lucrative contracts in telecoms, land, oil and diamond business.

The United States said its move was part of: “…additional bold actions today to combat corruption and promote accountability through sanctions and visa restrictions under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program and Department of State’s Section 7031(c) visa restriction authority.”

Other sanctioned Angolans

Leopoldo Fragoso do Nascimento, “Dino,” former head of communications for Angolan President, and Manuel Helder Vieira Dias, “Kopelipa,” former Angolan General, for their involvement in significant corruption through the embezzlement and misappropriation of billions of dollars in state funds for personal benefit.

As part of this action, Nascimento’s spouse, Amelia Maria Coelho da Cruz Nascimento, and Dias’s spouse, Luisa de Fatima Giovetty, and children Lidiane Rafaela Giovetty and Carlos de Ancieto G Vieira Dias Junior are also designated.

Nascimento, Manuelo Dias, and Luisa Dias were also designated by the Department of the Treasury under Global Magnitsky for their role in corruption.