Angola: Update to AGO30833.E of 15 March 1999 on the KIMVUKA, MAKO and CANGOBAK organizations and situation of the Bakongo and treatment by the government authorities

The following information was extracted from the October 2000 Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) Angola Assessment.

Both KIMVUKA and MAKO are among several Bakongo separatist groups based in the United Kingdom (UK) whose aim is "self-determination for the Bakongo but their publications and propaganda are unclear" (IND Oct. 2000).

Referring to those two organizations, the report noted the following:

KIMVUKA/MBFA (Bakongo Movement for Federalism in Angola). Dedicated to self-determination for the Bakongo and the transformation of Angola into a federal state. They issue newsletters and statements about events in Angola, in the most part made up of political slogans. Their Permanent Secretary is Avelino Makiese.

MAKO (Movement for Self-determination for the Kongo) is based in London, they have joined forces with the MBFA and announced, in June 1998, they would be working together on a joint programme. Their President is Joao Mansianganisoma (ibid.).

Assessing the situation of Bakongo, the IND report wrote the following:

In Angola there is no discrimination in law against those of Bakongo origin and no evidence that, for example, they are prevented from trading or treated as second class citizens in society as a whole. But there have been times when they have come under suspicion and been attacked as a group. One of the most serious instances of persecution was directed against "Zairians" (i.e. Bakongo Angolans) on January 22, 1993. Rumours were spread of a plot to kill the Angolan president, which resulted in "Zairians" being hunted down and chased from the markets. Officially 69 people were killed in the disturbances in several cities although most reports talk of between four and six thousand dead. The killers are reputed to be the military, the national police and civilians. The massacre became known as "Bloody Friday" and was condemned by the government. But this incident is not indicative of the general picture and there has been no repetition.

There is no evidence of a systematic persecution or targeting of Bakongo. However the Bakongo are likely targets if a scapegoat is needed.

If a Bakongo were a victim of scapegoating, he or she would not necessarily be able to look to the police for protection (although this would also apply to many other Angolans). The Angolan police are poorly paid and generally acknowledged to be corrupt and lacking in discipline. They tend to be motivated more by the opportunity to extort bribes than the pursuit of justice. It could not therefore be ruled out that a Bakongo who had come to the attention of the authorities might be pressurised by members of the police with a view to extorting bribes.

Although a Bakongo returning from abroad would probably be recognised as such, he or she would not automatically be associated with UNITA (traditionally supported by the Ovimbundu, rather than the Bakongo) or with any opposition elements (Oct. 2000).

Citing MAKO's open letter to the parliament, a 28 April 1999 AFP article stated that the autonomous movement was set up in Luanda [capital of Angola] in 1998 and is not recognized by the government.

Updated information on Cangobak could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Agence France Presse (AFP). 2 April 1999. "Angolan Kongos Demand Autonomy." (NEXIS).

Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), Home Office, UK . October 2000. Angola Assessment. [Accessed 17 Apr. 2001]

Additional Sources Consulted

Africa Confidential 1999-March 2001.

Africa Research Bulletin 1999-2001.

Country Reports for 2000. 2001. Electronic Version.

Jeune Afrique/L'Intelligent 1999-April 2001.

IRB Databases.

Nouvel Afrique/Asie 1999-2001.

LEXIS/NEXIS.

Resource Centre country file. Angola. 1999 to present.

The Research Directorate was unable to reach KIMVUKA, MAKO and CANGOBAK groups.

Websites, including:

Amnesty International.

Human Rights Watch.

International Crisis Group (ICG).

Inter-Church Coalition in Africa.

Mail & Guardian.

Minority at Risk Project.

Monitor.

MISNA.

Panafrican News Agency.

ReliefWeb.

UN Commission for Human Rights.

Search Engines, including :

Dogpile.

Google.

Lycos.