Dos Santos, under scrutiny for alleged embezzlement, insists her fate has been politically motivated, challenging the integrity of the accusations against her.
**Isabel dos Santos Responds to UK Sanctions Amid Corruption Allegations**
**Isabel dos Santos Responds to UK Sanctions Amid Corruption Allegations**
Isabel dos Santos, once acclaimed as Africa's wealthiest woman, voices her discontent over the UK's sanctions, asserting a lack of due process.
Angolan business magnate Isabel dos Santos has publicly criticized the United Kingdom's recent sanctions imposed against her, which include an asset freeze and travel bans. The UK government labeled her a "notorious kleptocrat," citing alleged misappropriation of funds from Angola’s lucrative oil sector, where she purportedly embezzled over £350 million (approximately $442 million).
Speaking on the BBC Africa Daily podcast from Dubai, the 51-year-old daughter of Angola's former president José Eduardo dos Santos questioned the legitimacy of the sanctions, emphasizing that no court has found her guilty of corruption. She expressed her surprise at the allegations and pointed to a supposed agenda spearheaded by the Angolan government to malign her reputation.
"It's political at the end of the day," Dos Santos argued. She expressed concern over the absence of an inquiry or due process regarding the accusations against her, highlighting a lack of investigation or opportunity for her to provide clarification before the sanctions were implemented. In the UK, Foreign Secretary David Lammy has pushed for stringent measures against what he describes as "dirty money," placing Dos Santos under scrutiny within this broader campaign.
A spokesperson for Angola’s attorney-general countered her claims, insisting that their investigations are not politically driven and asserted that accusations of corruption against Dos Santos should be addressed in court. The spokesperson reiterated that the legal proceedings are founded on substantial evidence of alleged wrongdoing.
The allegations against Dos Santos emerged in 2020 following the "Luanda Leaks" exposé, which scrutinized her financial dealings. After serving as chair of the state-owned oil firm Sonangol—a position she was appointed to in 2016—her tenure was marked by controversy, especially after her father’s reign ended in 2017.
Despite vehemently denying the allegations, Dos Santos has witnessed significant personal and professional setbacks, including an asset freeze that has impacted her financial standing, as noted by Forbes, which removed her from its billionaires list. She reflects on her extensive career, claiming to have created over 200,000 jobs and contributing substantially to Angola’s economy.
In recent years, her family has also experienced profound loss. Dos Santos's husband died in a diving accident, and she chose not to return for her father’s funeral in 2022, fearing arrest due to an Interpol Red Notice issued against her.
Now on a path to reclaim her narrative, she aims to clarify what she refers to as a "complex" situation surrounding the allegations of corruption. When questioned about the prospect of her candidacy for Angola’s presidency, she hinted that it remains a possibility, expressing a commitment to serving her country in various capacities—be it in business, philanthropy, or politics.
Speaking on the BBC Africa Daily podcast from Dubai, the 51-year-old daughter of Angola's former president José Eduardo dos Santos questioned the legitimacy of the sanctions, emphasizing that no court has found her guilty of corruption. She expressed her surprise at the allegations and pointed to a supposed agenda spearheaded by the Angolan government to malign her reputation.
"It's political at the end of the day," Dos Santos argued. She expressed concern over the absence of an inquiry or due process regarding the accusations against her, highlighting a lack of investigation or opportunity for her to provide clarification before the sanctions were implemented. In the UK, Foreign Secretary David Lammy has pushed for stringent measures against what he describes as "dirty money," placing Dos Santos under scrutiny within this broader campaign.
A spokesperson for Angola’s attorney-general countered her claims, insisting that their investigations are not politically driven and asserted that accusations of corruption against Dos Santos should be addressed in court. The spokesperson reiterated that the legal proceedings are founded on substantial evidence of alleged wrongdoing.
The allegations against Dos Santos emerged in 2020 following the "Luanda Leaks" exposé, which scrutinized her financial dealings. After serving as chair of the state-owned oil firm Sonangol—a position she was appointed to in 2016—her tenure was marked by controversy, especially after her father’s reign ended in 2017.
Despite vehemently denying the allegations, Dos Santos has witnessed significant personal and professional setbacks, including an asset freeze that has impacted her financial standing, as noted by Forbes, which removed her from its billionaires list. She reflects on her extensive career, claiming to have created over 200,000 jobs and contributing substantially to Angola’s economy.
In recent years, her family has also experienced profound loss. Dos Santos's husband died in a diving accident, and she chose not to return for her father’s funeral in 2022, fearing arrest due to an Interpol Red Notice issued against her.
Now on a path to reclaim her narrative, she aims to clarify what she refers to as a "complex" situation surrounding the allegations of corruption. When questioned about the prospect of her candidacy for Angola’s presidency, she hinted that it remains a possibility, expressing a commitment to serving her country in various capacities—be it in business, philanthropy, or politics.
