The Angolan regime's policy of opening up to the U.S. was specifically designed to serve the political interests of the regime, particularly those of JOÃO LOURENÇO (JL), rather than to establish a strategic partnership in which Russia and China would lose significance as Angola's major partners (AM 1456). For JL, attracting investment from the USA also serves the purpose of supporting the revitalization and diversification of the economy (AM 1404).
Facts such as a public statement by JOE BIDEN (JB), recorded in the public part of a meeting with JL at the White House, are considered revealing of the willingness for rapprochement on the part of the USA, in which he stated that Angola "is the most important partner of the USA in Africa." A similar significance is attributed to Angola's inclusion in the recent short trips to Africa by Secretary of State ANTONY BLINKEN and Secretary of Defense LLOYD AUSTIN, respectively. READ MORE