Angola: Demographic information on the percentage of Bakongo in the Angolan military
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Ottawa |
| Publication Date | 1 August 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | AGO41754.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Angola: Demographic information on the percentage of Bakongo in the Angolan military, 1 August 2003, AGO41754.E, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/485ba84e13.html [accessed 1 July 2017] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The Angolan office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was informed by Angolan government officials that those who join the military are asked general biographical data including their full name, date of birth, place of birth and race, but they are not asked their ethnicity (UNHCR 29 July 2003). Applicants may also be requested to present their national identification card; however, records of the ethnicity of those who join the military are not kept (ibid.).
For statistical information on the Angolan defence forces relating to its size and strength, please consult AGO41176.E of 12 February 2003.
According to the Government of Canada's Centre for Intercultural Learning, the Bakongo represent 13 per cent of the Angolan population of 13,716,000, and the other two major ethnic groups, the Ovimbundu and the Kimbundu, represent 37 and 25 per cent respectively (12 May 2003).
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
Canada. 12 May 2003. Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Centre for Intercultural Learning. "E-thologies: Angola."
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representation in Canada, Ottawa. 29 July 2003. Correspondence from Legal Officer.
Additional Sources Consulted
IRB Databases
The Defense, Military, Naval and Air Attache of the Embassy of the Republic of Angola was unable to provide information on the above-mentioned topic within the time constraints of this Response.
Internet sites, including:
AllAfrica.com
Amnesty International
Angola Press Agency
BBC News Africa
Embassy of Angola Website: UK, Canada, France
Global IDP
Human Rights Resource Directory
Integrated Regional Information Networks
International Alert
Relief Web
Republic of Angola Website
UK Home Office, Immigration and Nationality Directorate, Country Assessment: Angola
War Resisters' International (WRI)
Search engine:
