Luanda (AFP)

Press releases, interviews, tweets, it never stops ... In recent days, Isabel dos Santos has been firing all out against the accusations of embezzlement of public funds from the Angolan justice system, determined to dearly defend her empire.

Last month, a court announced the freezing of the billionaire's bank accounts and assets, the embodiment of the nepotism alleged against his father, ex-president José Eduardo dos Santos, during his 38 years of reign over the country ( 1979-2017).

According to the public prosecutor's office, Ms. dos Santos and her husband of Congolese origin, Sindika Dokolo, are suspected of having embezzled a billion dollars from the public groups Sonangol (oil) and Sodiam (diamonds) for the benefit of their private affairs.

The sanction of the judges has rekindled the war that has been waged for two years by the family of the former head of state and his successor Joao Lourenço, who has promised to eradicate corruption.

Usually little keen on media outlets, Isabel dos Santos, 46, organized the counterattack herself.

For ten days, the richest woman in Africa, according to the American magazine Forbes, denounces in the newspapers, on television or on social networks the trial which, she says, is done to her with "lies", "fake news" or "false testimony".

"I have never benefited from a billion dollars out of the Angolan wallet," she repeats.

On Tuesday again, Isabel dos Santos, who lives abroad, blamed her blame on "settling of accounts" within the MPLA, the party that has ruled Angola since independence in 1975.

- Threat -

"For President Joao Lourenço, the final exclusion from the political scene of his predecessor and his family is the guarantee of keeping an undisputed stranglehold on the party apparatus," she tweeted.

"This is not an isolated affair targeting only Isabel dos Santos," replied Foreign Minister Manuel Augusto, "but an operation to repatriate capital that the government will pursue."

The concerned should thus be formally charged by the beginning of March, warned a judicial source in Luanda.

"His assets were frozen to prevent them from leaving the country," the same source told AFP, "the state has taken this measure to be sure of being reimbursed."

Without naming her, Mr. Lourenço urged her to play, in his interest, the card of "maximum collaboration" with the authorities and called for help the international community in its "effort against corruption and impunity in Angola ".

In trouble, the one that the Angolans call the "princess", began to be threatening.

In an interview with Voice of America, Isabel dos Santos said she was "concerned" about the court decision because it "has a huge impact on many companies".

Among its frozen assets are its holdings in banks BIC and BFA, the mobile operator Unitel, the media group ZAP, Condis Distribution (supermarkets) and Cimangola (concrete).

- "Abuse of power" -

These companies employ 20,000 Angolans, Isabel dos Santos warned, and have paid a total of $ 200 million in taxes to the state.

His warnings do not cause concern at the moment. "The freeze only targets his private accounts", reminds AFP economist Carlos Rosado, "the payment of employees' salaries does not depend directly on Isabel dos Santos".

"These companies will continue to operate normally," also reassures the head of the CGSILA trade union confederation, Francisco Jacinto, who denounces to AFP the speech of an Isabel dos Santos "at bay".

Since he succeeded José Eduardo dos Santos in 2017, Joao Lourenço, his former defense minister, has ousted everyone close to his predecessor from the public institutions and companies they padlocked.

In a few months, he dismissed Isabel dos Santos from his post as CEO of Sonangol and his half-brother José Filomeno dos Santos from the head of the country's sovereign wealth fund.

The trial of the latter, accused of embezzlement he denies, is scheduled to resume next week.

Suspected of "illegal enrichment", the other daughter of the former president, Welwitschia dos Santos known as "Tchize", was suspended in October from her mandate as a deputy.

In an interview with AFP on Wednesday, she denounced the regime's "persecutions". "Joao Lourenço has a personal and political problem with the former president," added "Tchize" dos Santos, "I accuse him of abuse of power".

© 2020 AFP