Pompeo praises Angola in fight against corruption

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has praised Angola’s President João Lourenço for his crackdown on financial crime, saying that the damage caused to the country by corruption was fairly clear.

The comment came in the wake of investigations into the family of Angola’s former president - José Eduardo dos Santos - over alleged financial misconduct. His daughter, Isabel dos Santos, has had her assets frozen in Angola and Portugal pending further investigation.

Undertaking his first tour of Africa, Mr Pompeo said one of the things that had most surprised him as he travelled the world was the level of corruption. 

While on tour, Mr Pompeo is keen to promote American investment in Africa and counter China’s influence on the continent. He is also seeking to reduce concerns over planned US troops reductions.

Having visited Senegal and now Angola, the final leg of the tour will take him to Ethiopia. 

Photo: Wall Street Journal