Credit: wikipedia /  The national flag of the Republic of Angola

By Gary Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

The United States is pledging $2,000,000 to combat money laundering in southern African nation Angola.  Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan made the announcement Monday in Angola’s capital city Luanda, the Angolan news agency Angop reported.  Sullivan concluded a tour of the southern African region that kicked of last Tuesday,  traveling to South Africa and Angola. The U.S. envoy focused  on promoting U.S. trade and investment, as well as advancing peace and security, including the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. Sullivan also met with Angolan President  João Lourenço.  Sullivan made the $2 million pledge during a joint press conference with Angola Foreign Affairs Minister, Manuel Augusto.  According to Angop, Sullivan stated that he would sent U.S. Treasury Department advisers to help combat money laundering and financing to terrorism. The pledge in financial assistance to combat money laundering with the assistance of the U.S. State and Treasury Departments help Angola improve trust and investment climate .

Credit:  twitter.com/StateDept  /   U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan meets Angola  President  João Lourenço  in Luanda Mar. 18, 2019. 

“The United States is committed to our strategic partnership with Angola. And the principal focus, my principal focus on this trip is also to broaden, develop, deepen the U.S. commercial relationship with Angola and to see all we can do to promote and encourage U.S. investment in Angola.”

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan statement -Luanda Mar. 18, 2019. 

Sullivan traveled to South Africa and Angola as part of the Trump administration’s “new Africa Strategy to revitalize our engagement with African partners and promote a prosperous and secure future for all Africans.”  Trade between the U.S. and Angola reached $3.4 Billion US  at end of 2017, with Angola exporting products valued at USD 2.6 Billion and the U.S. approximately USD 800 million.  The U.S envoy explained that at the core of this strategy,  the Administration is working to to expand economic opportunities; support sustainable and inclusive development; advance peace and security, including combating terrorism and other extremist groups; and promote stability, human rights, good governance, and self-reliance.  “The Africa Strategy underscores our long-standing commitment to Africa and to moving African countries away from foreign assistance, toward self-reliance and sustainable financial independence,”  Sullivan said.

Son Of Angola’s Ex-President dos Santos  Arrested Last Year On Suspicion of Money Laundering

credit: BBC.com / Jose Filomeno dos Santos led oil-rich Angola’s sovereign wealth fund during his father’s rule.

Last year,  a son of Angola’s ex-President Jose Eduardo dos Santos was  arrested on suspicion of money-laundering, embezzlement of public funds and fraud, the BBC reported.  Jose Filomeno dos Santos was the most high-profile person to be targeted in new President Joao Lourenco’s campaign against alleged corruption.