Luanda, Angola

Overview:

One of Africa's major oil producers, Angola is striving to tackle the physical, social and political legacy of a 27-year civil war that ravaged the country after independence.  Following the withdrawal of the Portuguese colonial masters in 1975, the rival former independence movements competed for power until 2002.  Much of Angola's oil wealth lies in Cabinda province, where a decades-long separatist conflict simmers.  The government has sent thousands of troops to subdue the rebellion in the enclave, which has no border with the rest of Angola. Human rights groups have alleged abuses against civilians. Joao Lourenco became the country's first new president in 38 years in September 2017. 

Source:  BBC Country Profile

American Embassy Luanda:

As mentioned in the Banjul blog our arrival in Luanda was delayed by three days because our connecting flight was delayed from Banjul to Lisbon through Madrid.  I had been to Luanda in 2002 for the previous OIG inspection.  At that time, we stayed in the nice hotel Tropico.  However, this time there were no rooms available in the Tropical because Texaco had reserved all the rooms for a conference.  The Hotel Mundial that the embassy arranged for us was barely a Three-Star. The Management Officer, Margaret Hartley, was very apologetic that they couldn’t find better accommodations.   My colleague, Rick Jones, the other management inspector was responsible for facilities and general services had a lot of findings.  There were not a lot of formal recommendations in my area Human Resources and Financial Management.  In fact, the Financial Management Officer (FMO), Heny Yang was on his first tour and he would ask me all kinds of questions, which I was happy to answer.  It turns out Henry ended up as the FSN Payroll Chief at the CGFS finance center in Bangkok. 

Findings:

Recommendations made for facilities and general services (GSO) in the OIG report included the need for space planning, a new emergency generator and funding for a new warehouse.  Also, funding for a fitness center and changing rooms.  GSO should solicit bids E-Travel service contract and implement use of blanket purchase agreements for its freight forwarding/packing and other frequently purchased items.  Conduct a residential lease survey and a management control review of its property management function.  Lastly, require the accountable property officer to document its 2008 annual inventory in accordance with Department regulations for nonexpendable property and the expendable supply system. 

Human resource findings included hiring a direct-hire office management specialist to work for the deputy chief of mission.  There was an ethical question raised with respect to an embassy staff accepting the gift of day care services from the Angolan state oil company.  The Local Compensation plan should be amended to include transportation and vacation allowance plus there should be a health insurance contract local staff.  The embassy local staff needed customer service training. 

Highlights:

There was not much to do in Luanda but seafood was plentiful and we did manage to get out to eat.   
We also visited the Benfica Market just outside Luanda and bargained for local handicrafts including paintings, jewelry, textiles and baskets. Bargaining was required. 

Luanda Corniche and Skyline

Horrendous traffic going to the embassy everyday

Angola is a prime spot for illegal ivory trade

Poorer section of Luanda

  

Just south of Luanda is the peninsula of Mussulo, which is known for its beach.  The peninsula is 18 miles long and a mile and a half wide, boasting a lovely beach that offers great views of the city beach huts and restaurants.  

Brian and me eating shellfish on the peninsula.