Make President Biden’s only trip to Africa count

US President Joe Biden is embarking on a two-day visit to Angola, his only trip to Africa as president. His visit is highly anticipated in Angola and for President João Lourenço, it could be his biggest diplomatic achievement since taking office in 2017.

Biden had promised to come to the continent in 2022 to strengthen ties and counter China’s influence. The U.S. government has also expressed interest in increasing access to Central Africa’s valuable minerals. The US has tried to justify its investment in the Lobito Corridor – a railway project from the Angolan port of Lobito to Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo – on national security and “green energy” grounds.

What is less clear is whether Biden plans to use his visit to address Angola’s poor human rights record and the country’s economic and social inequalities. In particular, he has the opportunity to publicly express his concerns about police brutality and attacks on freedom of expression, media and association.

Last year, Lourenço signed two bills that severely restrict basic human rights. The Crimes of Vandalism of Public Goods and Services Act provides for prison sentences of up to 25 years for those who participate in protests that result in vandalism and disruption of services. The National Security Law allows excessive government control over the media, Civil society organizations and other private institutions.

Angola’s police are involved in killings, sexual violence, torture, excessive use of force and arbitrary detention of peaceful activists and protesters. Former Interior Minister Eugénio Laborinho has acknowledged that police officers “regrettably make mistakes, some of which lead to the loss of human life.” However, he did not say whether there were plans to criminally charge those involved in abuses.

If this first-ever visit by a US president to Angola is limited to strengthening business ties, it sends the wrong signal. Instead, Biden should stand with the Angolan people and seek a public commitment from the Angolan president to investigate rights abuses by security forces and appropriately hold those responsible accountable.