TI welcomes release of anti-corruption campaigner in Angola

Transparency International (TI) welcomes the Angolan government’s decision to allow the return home of international anti-corruption campaigner Dr. Sarah Wykes, but remains concerned about civil society’s ability to work in the country.

Dr. Wykes, who works with human rights and anti-corruption NGO Global Witness, was arrested one month ago while visiting the oil-rich nation to meet with civil society, firms companies and government representatives. She has been charged under an Angolan law concerning crimes against national security, according to Global Witness.

TI Chief Executive David Nussbaum said, “We are relieved that Dr. Wykes is back in the UK. At the same time, we remain concerned that civil society actions to keep natural resources from turning into a corruption curse must not be branded as a threat to national security.”

Civil society must remain free to work toward greater transparency and accountability in Angola, where oil accounts for most of the country’s revenues. TI also calls for a transparent due process by the Angolan judicial authorities handling Dr. Wykes’ case.

Transparency International was one of the initiators of the Publish What You Pay coalition and promotes revenue transparency to improve democratic accountability in natural resource-rich countries as part of its broader anti-corruption work.

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Transparency International is the global civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption.