President Biden is on a three-day state visit to the southern African country of Angola. This trip marks his first and long-promised visit to Africa as the U.S. President. During the visit, the leaders of both governments are expected to discuss strengthening democratic institutions, enhancing civic engagement, and expanding economic partnerships.

Angola is of strategic economic interest to the US, partly because of its $3 billion investment in the Lobito corridor project—a 780-kilometer greenfield rail line connecting existing rail infrastructure in Angola and Zambia. Upon completion, the project is expected to open access to trade routes for exporting critical minerals, including cobalt and copper, from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia to the West. US investment in the region is designed to counter China’s dominance as the leading trade partner on the continent.

Given the trip’s trade focus, analysts have debated whether President Biden will seize the crucial opportunity to raise the human rights challenges that have plagued the country under President Lourenço’s government. 

Biden’s trip is pivotal, particularly in light of recent legislative changes that have drawn international scrutiny. On August 29, 2024, President Lourenço signed the National Security Bill and the Bill on the Crimes of Vandalism of Public Goods and Services into law. Both of these pieces of legislation contain provisions that severely undermine civil liberties. The Crimes of Vandalism law enforces stringent penalties for protests considered to lead to acts of vandalism, mandating prison sentences of up to 25 years for participants in such demonstrations. This legislation directly conflicts with the rights protected by the Angolan Constitution and international agreements, including those safeguarding freedom of expression and assembly. Certain provisions within the legislation, notably Articles 8 and 15, criminalize the dissemination or publication of information related to public security measures, subjecting individuals to imprisonment for up to 15 years. Furthermore, the law grants authorities the discretion to implement unspecified “appropriate measures” to prevent damage to public infrastructure, leaving these measures susceptible to broad and potentially arbitrary interpretation.

The National Security law grants the government extensive control over media and civil society, allowing authorities to shut down broadcasts and telecommunications services without judicial oversight or approval. This lack of oversight opens the door for the government to silence dissenting voices and manipulate public discourse. The law raises serious concerns about the future of human rights and political participation in Angola, and could weaken democratic governance. By controlling the flow of information, the government can dictate public perception, posing a significant threat to democratic principles and civil liberties.

These laws add to a list of repressive legislation, including the Media law (2016) and the NGO law (2023), that have been weaponized against human rights defenders and critical voices in Angola. 

A notorious example of the latter is the ongoing detention of Ana da Silva Miguel, a TikToker known as Neth Nahara, who has spent 16 months in prison for criticizing President Lourenço on TikTok. During this time, she has been denied essential medical care. Similarly, Adolfo Campos, a journalist and activist, has lost much of his vision and hearing due to medical neglect in Calomboloca Prison, where he endures overcrowded and violent conditions. Tanaice Neutro, a musician arrested in 2022 for criticizing the president, has been denied critical surgery and medical care despite a judge’s order for his release, leaving him in severe physical and psychological distress. Hermenegildo Victor (Gildo das Ruas) and Abraão Pedro Santos (Pensador) were also arrested ahead of a protest in support of motorcycle taxi drivers and face harsh conditions in prison.

It is imperative that President Biden raises the human rights situation in Angola during this trip in keeping with the US pledge to foster openness, open societies and democracy in Africa.  To align with international and regional human rights, Angola must review these new laws and restore citizens’ right to participate actively in their government. Additionally, President Biden should stress the need for an independent judicial system that upholds the rule of law and holds perpetrators of human rights violations accountable through a fair and transparent process.  Prioritizing human rights in discussions with President Lourenço during this visit will be crucial to cement President Biden’s legacy as a supporter of strong democratic practices and civil liberties.