confidentially speaking
The Africa Confidential Blog
A blow against personal rule
Blue Lines
The end of President Robert Mugabe's
reign in Zimbabwe – whatever
else it presages – sends a clear message to other power families in the
region. As Southern Africans were musing over the fin de règne in Zimbabwe, the new
President in Angola, João Lourenço sacked Isabel dos Santos from her position
as head of the state oil company, Sonangol. Ms Dos Santos, described as
one of Africa's richest women with a personal fortune of over US$2
billion, is the daughter of former President of Angola, José Eduardo dos Santos. Even before
her father left office, some in Angola's military were calling for an
investigation into Isabel's business affairs. That could still come, as
could a probe into her brother Zenu's
management of the country's sovereign wealth fund.
After Zimbabwean military officers put Mugabe and his wife Grace under house arrest, South Africa's President Jacob Zuma thoughtfully telephoned
to inquire about their welfare. After being reassured, Zuma went on
national television to update South Africans on the change of the guard
in their northern neighbour. The ousting of a long-standing president
and his wife, mired in political and corporate corruption, may have
given Zuma some twinges of anxiety. Just as Mugabe was trying to
promote Grace, Zuma has been energetically backing his ex-wife as his
successor to lead the African National Congress. This won't help Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma's campaign.
