Angola: Induction of young men aged 18 years, into the Front for the Liberation of the Cabinda Enclave - Armed Forces of Cabinda (FLEC-FAC), and promotion to the rank of lieutenant (1991-1995)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 July 1999 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | AGO32176.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Angola: Induction of young men aged 18 years, into the Front for the Liberation of the Cabinda Enclave - Armed Forces of Cabinda (FLEC-FAC), and promotion to the rank of lieutenant (1991-1995), 1 July 1999, AGO32176.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aaf330.html [accessed 8 June 2023] |
| 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. |
According to a Radio Renascence report of 11 October 1995, the FLEC-FAC was trying to intensify armed struggle in the Cabinda region and was compulsory recruiting youths from northern Angola. A Human Rights Watch report states that "the general service requirement for all Angolan males is that they should be over twenty years of age. But many recruits are under this age and forced recruitment of teenagers occurred throughout 1995 in Northern region." However, the report does not specify whether the recruitment was done by FLEC-FAC (Feb. 1996, 30).
A 14 July 1996 AP report states that rebel soldiers admitted giving military training to young people but "they will not confirm they send children into battle."
No reports of 18 year olds being promoted to the rank of lieutenant could 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 see the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Associated Press (AP). 14 July 1996. Louis Okamba. "Cuito, Angola." (NEXIS)
Human Rights Watch. February 1996. Vol. 8. No. 1 (A). Angola: Between War and Peace: Arms Trade and Human Rights Abuses Since the Lusaka Protocol. New York: Human Rights Watch.
Radio Renascence [Lisbon, in Portuguese]. 11 October 1995. "Cabinda Separatists said to
be Forcibly Recruiting Youth in Northern Angola." (NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
Africa Confidential [London]. January 1991 - December 1995. Weekly Nos. 1-25.
Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. 1997-1998. Vols. 34-35. Nos. 1-12.
Amnesty International. 1992-1996. Amnesty International Report 1991-1995. New York: Amnesty International USA.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1992-1995. 1993-1998. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Press.
Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. January 1998-January 1999. Monthly. Vols. 44-45.
Political Handbook of the World 1992-1998. 1992-1998. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.
Electronic sources: IRB databases, Internet, LEXIS/NEXIS, World Network Connection (WNC)
