Angola visa process hinders aid

2009-07-09 21:05

Luanda - Angola's restrictive visa policy is slowing the flow of development aid to the country still rebuilding from decades of civil war, a senior French diplomat said on Thursday.

French Ambassador to Angola Francis Blondet told AFP that people have to wait often more than two weeks for visas, while some aid workers linked to Angolan government projects had their visas rejected.

In contrast, he said, 90% of visas for Angolans to visit France were issued within two days.

"There is a certain disequilibrium in the system. French professionals and investors find it very hard to get visas to come here," Blondet said.

"We are in negotiations with the Angolan authorities to try and get some symmetry, especially when the majority of French people who are coming here are coming to help with reconstruction, the function of industry and improving people's well-being," he added.

France, home to oil giant Total, is keen to maintain its relationship with oil-rich Angola following the "Angolagate" trial of the son of late French president Francois Mitterrand and other political elite accused of illegal arms sales to Angola in the 1990s.

No Angolans are in the dock but the trial, due to reach a verdict in October, has raised allegations that President Jose Eduardo dos Santos and others received tens of millions of dollars of kickbacks.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy made an historic visit to Angola in May 2008, and Blondet said Dos Santos was planning a reciprocal visit to France but no firm date has been set.

France recently re-opened its development agency to focus on rehabilitation projects to help Angola's post-war reconstruction, especially in the areas of health, energy, professional training and sanitation.

Blondet said it was important the visa system was improved to facilitate these projects which would benefit all Angolans.

"It can be very difficult to help Angola sometimes," he said.

- SAPA