Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LUANDA237
2009-04-09 12:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Luanda
Cable title:
GOVERNOR OF CENTRAL BANK TO BE SACKED FOR SPENDING
how-toINFO LOG-00 AF-00 AID-00 CEA-01 CIAE-00 CTME-00 INL-00 DODE-00 DOTE-00 DS-00 EXIM-01 E-00 FAAE-00 VCI-00 FRB-00 H-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 ITC-01 MOFM-00 MOF-00 VCIE-00 NSAE-00 ISN-00 OMB-00 NIMA-00 GIWI-00 ISNE-00 SEC-01 FMPC-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00 NCTC-00 BBG-00 IIP-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-00 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 FA-00 SWCI-00 /004W ------------------50937F 091234Z /38 O 091209Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY LUANDA TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5432 INFO OPEC COLLECTIVE SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUANDA 000237
DEPARTMENT FOR EEB/OMA ALEX WHITTINGTON
DEPARTMENT PASS TO USAID/EGAT AND AFR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2019
TAGS: AO ECON EFIN ENIV PGOV
SUBJECT: GOVERNOR OF CENTRAL BANK TO BE SACKED FOR SPENDING
RESERVES
REF: A. A. LUANDA 159
¶B. B. LUANDA 200
Classified By: Classified by Charge Jeff Hawkins for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
1 (C) Post has confirmed that the governor of Angola's
central bank (BNA) will be sacked later today (4/09) for
spending international reserves without proper authorization.
A brief article in the April 3 edition of weekly "Novo
Journal" alleged that Governor of the Banco National de
Angola (BNA) Amadeu de Jesus Castelhano Mauricio would soon
be sacked for "spending Angola's international reserves
without authorization." The article also stated that Vice
Governor Rui Miguens would likely replace him. Earlier on
April 9, Miguens (please protect) confirmed to Emboff that
Mauricio would indeed be sacked later that day for the stated
reasons in the "Novo Journal" article, but could not, or
would not, confirm if he would replace him.
¶2. (C) COMMENT: As outlined in reftels, Angola has been
spending its international reserves at a rapid pace, drawing
them down from USD 20 billion in November 2008 to USD 15
billion by the end of February 2009. Post had previously
reported evidence to suggest that the steep decline was due
to capital flight spurred by a worsening economic outlook and
an overvalued Kwanza peg (ref A). According to Minister of
Finance Eduardo de Morais, however, Angola had drawn only on
the government's operating account as part of the normal
process of budget outlays. (NOTE: Contrary to the U.S.
system, the GRA's revenues are deposited with the central
bank, are listed on the asset side of the central bank's
ledger, and are classified as "reserves" also) This latest
news would suggest that Angola's sudden drop in reserves is
not due to budget outlays, but is the result of a more
serious and unintended phenomena, again possibly capital
flight. In February as the reserve story broke in the
Angolan press, the normally cautious Vice Governor was quoted
as noting a significant one-day increase in demand for USDs
at the central bank, going from an average of USD 50 to 60
million up to USD 335 million. It is unclear why the
Governor is being dismissed, wether he acted improperly or is
being made a scapegoat for GRA monetary policy. Equally
unclear is the true extent of the decline of Angola's actual
foreign reserves and if further austerity measures, like the
recent budget cuts, will be taken by the GRA. Post does not
believe that Angola's banking system is in imminent danger of
collapse, but the how and why of Angola's depletion of
reserves warrants investigating. Post will continue to
report on this issue.
HAWKINS