The only African woman who made the Forbes’ World’s 100 Most Powerful Women in 2017 list, billionaire daughter of Jose Eduardo dos Santos(former president of Angola),Isabel Dos Santos, has been relieved of her job as the head of Angola’s state oil company, Sonangol. Isabel’s father, former President Jose Eduardo dos Santo, was Africa’s second longest-serving leader who stepped down in September after 37years succeeded by President Joao Lourenco.
Angolan president, President Joao Lourenco, was the one to fire Isabel himself in fulfillment to his promise to tackle corruption. This stunt however is being viewed as a ploy to weaken the influence of the Dos Santos family.
After the Paradise Papers leaked information that Angola’s sovereign wealth state has paid tens of millions in fees to a business man who supposedly works closely with Jose Filomeno, Isabel’s brother and son of former president Dos Santos, the country had since been under increased scrutiny.
Isabel dos Santos claims she has faced prejudice as she faced criticism over her appointment as head of Sonangol in 2016. She dismissed the criticisms however, saying; “The key reason for my appointment is because I come from the business sector and I’ve had a track record of building business”.
Is it a coincidence that Angola, Africa’s second biggest oil producer’s economy has been hit by a drop in oil prices or does Isabel’s “track record of building businesses’ have something to do with it?