Local elections are one of the ways Angola can strengthen its democracy, according to the US official responsible for relations with Africa, emphasising that there is a link between “good governance and a good economy”.
Speaking to Lusa in the aftermath of President Joe Biden’s visit to the Portuguese-language country, Molly Phee said that this was one of the themes around democracy and human rights that were discussed with the Angolan head of state at the meeting that the two leaders held on Tuesday at the Presidential Palace.
“Many topics were discussed. It was a long meeting. President Biden spoke about democracy – and he also did so publicly – that it is a difficult but important process and that we must cherish it. He talked about how the United States is trying to strengthen its democracy and how Angola can strengthen its democracy, particularly by promoting local elections,” she said.
The topics were also discussed at the US embassy with activists who expressed their greatest concerns in Angola,” said the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs at the US State Department.
“And I think the Angolan leadership recognises what we see here and elsewhere in the world, that there is a critical relationship between good governance and a good economy,” she said.
Molly Phee reaffirmed the messages conveyed by Biden during his 72-hour visit to Angola, which centred on the Lobito Corridor and was confident that the mutual benefits of this infrastructure will also be clear to the next administration and that the investments announced by the US President will continue.
The visit took place just a few weeks before Democrat Biden leaves the White House, where Republican Donald Trump will replace him.
“Everyone sees the value of economic development. All Africans know and recognise the importance of infrastructure to improve their economies and create jobs,” said Molly Phee, highlighting the role of US private sector investment as an alternative to debt traps.
The head of US diplomacy for Africa was therefore convinced that Biden’s successor would not put the brakes on the millions of dollars announced.
“The United States has long been the largest donor of humanitarian aid globally, including in Africa. This is a proud tradition shared by Republicans and Democrats alike. I am confident that the value of the investments will be evident to anyone who wants to review these projects,” she said.
Molly Phee also said that Biden had the opportunity to meet with members of civil society before his speech at the Slavery Museum and travelled to Angola accompanied by African-American civil society activists, members of Congress, and members of the private sector.
“The US believes strongly in the power of non-governmental groups and the important role of their advocacy,” she said, emphasising that Biden wanted to celebrate this facet of political society and recommends the same for Angola.
The diplomat rejected the idea that the visit was merely focused on business, saying that Biden’s concern was the Lobito Corridor’s impact on Angolans and the region.
“Biden and President João Lourenço believe that infrastructure is necessary to create good jobs and help people improve their lives. That’s why I think it’s unfair to say he’s not interested in people,” she emphasised.
She said that the Lobito Corridor will change the lives of thousands of people, just like the other projects in the areas of solar energy, agricultural productivity, and minerals.
She added that these are different approaches to those used previously, focusing on joint work between the private and public sectors and support for the Angolan government so that contracts are carried out transparently.
“I think that’s what President Lourenço wants too. He wants to ensure that Angola’s resources are used to develop the country,” she emphasised.
Regarding possible misuse of the funds, she pointed out that on Thursday, agreements were signed, and the US agency USAID provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Transport to adopt transparent and competitive procedures in public procurement.
“This is an example of a new way of doing business that we are trying to promote with the support of Angola (…) I think it’s something that Angolans want; they want to do business differently, and we want to support them,” she said.
She also said that the US was interested in a genuine partnership with its “African friends”, who need capital and infrastructure investment.
When asked about the difference between US and Chinese investments in Africa, she said that it had to do with the financing model since the US brings in different partners to mobilise capital, with the involvement of the private sector, “which is an alternative model to the simply extractive model”.
Lusa
