Recent shifts in U.S. foreign policy are having ripple effects across the globe, impacting everything from humanitarian aid to human rights protections. Broader cuts to foreign assistance and disengagement from multilateral human rights institutions in the United States could have significant consequences for civil society, justice efforts, and survivors of state violence in Angola.
U.S. Aid Cuts
One of the most alarming developments has been the termination of 5,800 USAID awards and 4,100 State Department awards—a move that has disrupted life-saving programs in many countries. Angola has historically received U.S. assistance, particularly in public health (PEPFAR for HIV/AIDS), economic development, and governance initiatives.
For Angola, this could mean:
- Less funding for civil society organizations (CSOs) and human rights defenders (HRDs) working to hold authorities accountable.
- Reduced support for victims of police violence and their families, limiting access to legal aid and advocacy efforts.
- Weaker pressure on the Angolan government to improve human rights conditions, as international funding often supports independent monitoring of abuses.
Given Angola’s recent history of police repression and impunity, this loss of funding could slow down progress in securing justice for victims.
U.S. Withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council
Another critical policy shift is the U.S. decision to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) and review its membership in other international human rights bodies. The UN HRC has played a role in monitoring abuses worldwide, including in Angola, where concerns over police violence, political repression, and restrictions on free speech have been raised in past sessions. Notably, during Angola’s recent Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process—conducted in January–February 2025—numerous civil society submissions, including Amnesty International’s detailed report, highlighted persistent human rights challenges in the country.
If the U.S. further disengages from multilateral human rights systems, we could see:
- Less diplomatic pressure on Angola to uphold international human rights standards.
- Fewer accountability mechanisms for victims, as the U.S. has historically supported UN-backed investigations into human rights violations.
- A shift in influence toward other global players like China and Russia, whose engagement with Angola is often driven by economic interests rather than human rights concerns.
For Angolan activists and victims of state violence, losing a key international ally in human rights advocacy could make the fight for justice and accountability even harder.
Police Violence and the Struggle for Justice
In a recent meeting in Luanda on November 27, 2024, survivors of police violence shared their heartbreaking experiences, reliving the trauma of state brutality during protests amid the launch of our Angola report. This event—comprising a press conference followed by a stakeholder meeting—was attended by civil society organizations, activists, journalists, lawyers, diplomatic representatives, families of victims, and even members of Angola’s National Assembly.
The meeting was convened to amplify the voices of those affected by police violence and to call for urgent reforms to ensure justice and accountability. During the session, survivor testimonies were projected; one woman had to leave the room after seeing a video of herself describing how her legs were burned by a police grenade during a protest in 2023.
Without sustained international pressure and funding, efforts to hold Angolan authorities accountable for police brutality could lose momentum. This is why continued global engagement is essential.
In 2025, campaigns for justice and accountability in Angola will continue. But they will need stronger global solidarity to ensure that victims of human rights abuses are not forgotten. The wounds of police violence may fade, but the demand for justice must never be silenced.