Being a mother is suffering in Paradise

“Being a mother is suffering in Paradise": Fighting corruption and illicit financial flows in Angola

This year marks the 20^th Anniversary of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, the only legally binding international anti-corruption multilateral treaty. Adopted by the UN General Assembly in October 2003 it entered into force in December 2005 recognizing the importance of both preventive and punitive measures, and international cooperation on the return of the proceeds of corruption and illicit financial flows.

Corruption in Angola, manifests in different forms, including money laundering, embezzlement, the looting of state assets, and a deeply entrenched patronage system.

“Corruption and money laundering jeopardize the more vulnerable, and that is not fair. Increasing costs and reducing access to basic services, such as health, education, social programs, and even justice. This is a principle that, as an individual, as a citizen I cannot agree with. I cannot accept that as normal…”

To address the issue the government introduced legislative reforms, ratifying UNCAC in 2006 and calling for a crackdown on corruption in 2009. The most prominent institutions in preventing and countering corruption are the Ministry of Justice, the Prosecutor-General’s Office, the Judicial Police, the Financial Intelligence Unit, the National Inspectorate, the National Accounting Office and the Judiciary, including an Audit Court.

For some people, like Maria Fatima Simões, of the Angolan Capital Market Commission^{^[1]} (CMC) fighting corruption and illicit financial flows is more than just a convention. It is a commitment to leaving a better world behind for her children.

“My favorite song is Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson. My 8 year old boy, knows this. I tear up when I listen to it. To make the world a better place, you have to be honest. You can’t lie to the person in the mirror because you can’t lie to yourself. And when you have children you think. You want to do your best to leave a better world behind.

I am not from Angola. I was born and raised in Portugal. My parents are from Cape Verde. My father worked in construction, both he and my mother couldn’t read. We didn’t suffer, we had what we needed, they fought for my education, and gave me strong values.

My mother used to tell me: “I don’t have anything to leave you. Your legacy, what you leave behind is your work. It’s your masterpiece.” To me, that is the most important, always giving a hundred percent. Not having regrets because you’ve tried your best.

I always had a strong sense of justice. That some things were not fair. Even when I was little, I wanted to be a judge, because to me the judge could really seek justice. Growing up I held on to this ideal and went to law school.

Growing up I was really into soccer and volleyball, but it became difficult to balance athletics and being a law student. In Portugal, in 2004, you had to wait two years between graduating and applying to Judiciary, so I almost left Portugal for Cape Verde to gain experience. I made a friend during college, today she is my son’s godmother who had a decisive influence on my life.

My friend’s father had a law firm in Angola. I didn’t know anyone in Cape Verde. She encouraged me to go to Angola instead. See how it works and if it does, gain experience and come back to the magistrate’s courts in Portugal later. So I did. I have been here for twenty years. I am married and have two children.

Everyone in Angola welcomed me with open arms and thanks to them I’m the person I am today. I learned a lot and eventually I had the opportunity to work with the CMC as a legal advisor where I have the opportunity to collaborate to the regulation, supervision and promotion of our market. I am also a member of the CMC Task Force for the National Risk Assessment which represents CMC on the assessment conducted by the Eastern and Southern African Money Laundering Group to analyze compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) 40 Recommendations and the level of effectiveness of Angola’s AML/CFT[1] system.”

I fell in love with the financial sector. The legal aspects of it. It is important to safeguard the financial sector, its transparency and integrity because otherwise we can’t have sustainable growth and a strong economy.

My three-year-old is still too young, but the eight-year-old is like I was at his age. This morning he walks up to me and said: “Mommy I am starting an investigation. Someone stole my sleeping mask. I have five suspects. I already spoke to dad, but you are suspect number one, because you gave it to me. And I think you want it back but you’re ashamed to ask.” I don’t even remember giving him the mask. But I am proud. He has the same instincts as me.

Being a mother is suffering in paradise. It is beautiful, but it is also a responsibility. I want to raise two men, with a capital M. With character and integrity. And this is also why it’s important to fight against illicit financial flows, corruption and corrupt people. Because they are keeping things they haven’t earned. Then countries have to struggle to access basic things like health and education. It’s a beautiful fight. That we can fight together. Because we are stronger together.”

Maria is the CMC focal point for the PRO.REACT project running from 2021-2024, funded by the EU, and implemented by UNODC aimed at developing an effective system against money laundering in partnership with Angolan institutions, supporting Angola in the implementation of the FATF Recommendations, and improving coordination with civil society and the private sector. Angola is committed to increasing the number of money laundering investigations related to all profit-driven criminal offences. Through the project the police, prosecutors and judiciary have and are being trained across the country.

[1] Anti-Money Laundering / Combatting the Financing of Terrorism

^{^[1]} Comissão do Mercado de Capitais

United Nations

UNODC ROSAF

“Being a mother is suffering in Paradise": Fighting corruption and illicit financial flows in Angola