Angolan President Joao Lourenco has urged government officials to repatriate their money in overseas accounts back to the homeland by the beginning of 2018, local media reported on Thursday.
He made the remarks on Wednesday as vice president of the ruling MPLA party at a seminar on fighting corruption crimes.
Lourenco said that those who act on his advice will not be questioned about the reasons for having the money outside the country, nor prosecuted.
The president warned that at the end of this period, the state will confiscate the money and bring it back to the country to benefit all Angolans.
He also encouraged those dealing with the fight against corruption and money laundering to fulfil their duties accordingly.
“Do not confuse the fight against corruption with persecution of the rich or of wealthy families.
“The rich are welcome as long as their fortunes are lawful,’’ Lourenco said.
Lourenco, sworn in as head of state in September, has been calling for greater transparency so as to better fight corruption and economic crimes rooted in some institutions. (Xinhua/NAN)
