The futility of the case against De Morais

Angola's ruling MPLA recently proposed that the outgoing President and Vice-President be given absolute immunity from prosecution for any crimes they committed while in office. The regime subsequently launched new indictments against journalist and human rights defender Rafael Marques de Morais. The award-winning editor has addressed the abuse of power and human rights violations in oil-rich Angola. A Maka Angola editorial notes that he has been a thorn in the side of President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who has amassed a multibillion-dollar fortune for himself, his family and his loyal supporters in the ruling MPLA party. ‘They must realise that their actions only serve to highlight their misdeeds and brings them to the attention of the wider world. Presumably they hope the distraction will leave Marques de Morais no time or energy to continue reporting on how they flout the constitution and the laws of the country to enrich themselves. He already knows what to expect, having been thrown in jail before, in common with all too many Angolan journalists and rights activists. A trial ensures that all the evidence he has published is brought into the public domain again, giving even wider publicity to the reported misdeeds. It's an echo chamber, repeating the allegations against the powerful so they are carried on the wind to every corner of Angola, amplified as they go.’

Full Maka Angola editorial