Dozens of Cabinda Independence Movement Members Arrested
Category: Criminal Activity
Severity: 3 (Moderate)
Source: Drum Cussac
02/13/2019 (Angola) - According to reports in regional media outlets and by human rights watch group Amnesty International on Tuesday, 12 February, 62 members of the Independence Movement of Cabinda (MIC) have been arrested in the past two weeks. The first wave of arrests occurred ahead of a demonstration scheduled for 1 February to commemorate the signing of the Simulambuco Treaty 134 years ago, which forms the cornerstone of their independence struggle. Further arrests occurred when family members and colleagues gathered to peacefully protest for their release. Amnesty International has argued that the arrests are without mandate and the MIC members were only exercising their right to peaceful assembly. Separatist groups have been seeking independence from Angola for over 20 years, however the MIC is a newly formed group, being created in 2018.
Due to the threat of separatist violence, Cabinda province remains a high-risk operational environment and all travel to the region should only be conducted with security measures in place which are commensurate with this risk level. Those in Cabinda province are advised to monitor local media sources for any further updates on the security situation and should maintain an increased level of vigilance. Any directives issued by local authorities should be strictly adhered to and any suspicious items or activities should be reported to security personnel immediately.
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