Britain Imposes Ban On Angola’s Isabel dos Santos

Britain has imposed a travel ban and an asset freeze on Angolan billionaire Isabel dos Santos under its global anti-corruption sanctions regime, the British government said on Thursday.

Dos Santos, whose father Jose Eduardo dos Santos ruled Angola for 38 years until 2017, has faced corruption accusations in Angola and elsewhere for years.

Africa’s first female billionaire denies the allegations and says she is the target of a long-running political vendetta.

We are really angry because of this inaction.

The government said dos Santos misappropriated more than 50 million pounds ($63.19 million) for her own financial benefit while she ran Angolan state oil firm Sonangol.

It also said she misappropriated more than 300 million pounds while she was director of telecoms company Unitel.

Dos Santos lost an appeal to overturn an order freezing up to 580 million pounds of her assets in September as part of a lawsuit at London’s High Court brought by Unitel.

Global police agency Interpol confirmed in 2022 it had issued a red notice for dos Santos, who says she lives in Dubai.

The British government has added seven other designations targeting other individuals under the same global anti-corruption case.

Reuters/Shakirat Sadiq