Dos Santos Ally Under House Arrest in Angola

An ally to the former Angolan president Eduardo dos Santos has been placed under house arrest by the country’s military court. General José Maria was the head of information and security of the army in dos Santos’ government. He has now been charged with embezzlement of restricted military documents and equipment, and insubordination.

Meanwhile, the ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) has further strengthened the position of President Joao Lourenco in its recently concluded party congress. During the event the party’s Central Committee was expanded from 366 to 497 members and the political bureau from 52 to 72 members. The MPLA secretary general Álvaro de Boavida Neto, a close dos Santos ally, was replaced by Paulo Pombolo.

Dos Santos is currently in Spain receiving treatment.