Sonangol denies Dos Santos’ dismissal

LUANDA, November 3, 2017 – Sonangol denied reports that the Angolan NOC’s head, Isabel dos Santos, had been dismissed Friday.

The news had been reported by Portuguese broadcaster RTP, apparently based on a false press release that appeared to be from the president’s office. 

Last month Dos Santos told the media that recently inaugurated President João Lourenço supported her plans for further cuts and reform at the NOC, saying the two were in “full alignment.”

She was appointed by her father, then President José Eduardo dos Santos, in June 2016, as head of Sonangol after the company’s board was sacked by presidential decree. The move is reported to have been intended by the president to increase efficiency and profitability. However, it could raise some concerns among international banks wanting to do business with Sonangol over compliance with anti-nepotism rules. Although not a petroleum engineer, Africa’s richest woman has made numerous successful investments in energy businesses.

The move immediately met with backlash. The journalist and activist Rafael Marques, head of anti-corruption watchdog Maka Angola, filed several complaints, requesting the country’s attorney general to repeal the decision and an inquiry by the country’s Supreme Court. The Supreme Court dismissed the application in late December, but the opposition plaintiffs said they would appeal the decision to the Constitutional Court.

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