Operations

Operational context and population trends

Immigration control is gaining prominence on the political agenda in Angola as the country’s expanding economy continues to attract foreign workers.

According to data provided by the Service for Migration and Foreigners, housed in the Ministry of the Interior, by the end of 2014:

• 59,905 people of concern to UNHCR are living in Angola, of whom 15,474 are refugees, 30,147 are asylum-seekers and 14,284 are Angolan returnees
• The refugee population in Angola originates mainly from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Katangese, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Sudan and Somalia. The Government of Angola has been informed about the possible cessation clause for Liberian, Sierra Leonean and Rwandan refugees, but has yet to issue a formal decision on the matter, and an exemption procedure has yet to be established
• The population group of asylum-seekers is comprised of 32 different nationalities.

Following the repatriation of some 15,000 former Angolan refugees from the DRC, Zambia and the Republic of Congo in 2014 and 2015, UNHCR anticipates that the operation will continue to host, until September 2015, some 25,000 former Angolan refugees in the DRC who are awaiting repatriation.

In 2016, the number of refugees is expected to increase as the national refugee status determination (RSD) body is holding regular sessions and is seeking to reduce the backlog of asylum applications. In spite of the possible cessation clause that may be invoked for Liberians and Sierra Leoneans, the number of refugees may reach up to 20,000.

Key priorities in 2016

UNHCR will continue to support the Government of Angola as its main counterpart by:

• Improving of the effectiveness of the national RSD body through training
• Collecting reliable refugee data
• Developing and issuing improved identity documents for asylum-seekers and refugees
• Supporting people of concern with special needs and community self-management
• Capacitating Angolan authorities in developing adequate legislation and policy aimed at establishing a favourable protection environment.