Police urge Angolans to avoid xenophobic acts against Congolese citizens

Saurimo, ANGOLA, October 15 - The acting Provincial Commander of the National Police in the eastern Lunda Sul Province, Sub-Commissioner João Ângelo, last Sunday in Saurimo city called on citizens based in this region to avoid xenophobic acts against Congolese citizens. ,

The call comes in the ambit of the police operation ongoing in the country dubbed “Operação Transparencia” (operation transparency) launched on October 25 in the north-central Malanje Province, aimed at preventing systematic violations of the Angola’s borders and entrance and illegal prospecting of diamonds.

 

 

The first phase of the operation is primarily underway in the provinces of Lunda Norte (north-east), Lunda Sul (east), Moxico (east), Bié (centre) and Zaire (north), conducted by the border police, Criminal Investigation Service, Foreigner and Migration Service and other organs of the Home Ministry.

 

Speaking to the press, concerning the aggressions suffered by citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Saurimo, the acting Police Commander, reassured that the defence and security organs will not allow this kind of acts to happen again and those who perpetrate such illegalities will be made criminally accountable.

 

“The Angolan citizen dwelling in this province, who takes advantage of operation transparency and opts for xenophobia or plundering of the properties belonging to Congolese citizens living in this region, even of those found in illegal situation, will feel the heavy hand of the National Police”, warned the commander.

 

In the meantime, added the high ranking police officer, the relations between Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo are good, since the mission of the Angolan State is to discipline the diamond exploitation, remove citizens, especially foreigners, from the illegal diamond exploitation zones.

 

Therefore, explained João Ângelo, this operation must not be mistaken with repatriation of foreign citizens from the Angolan territory, but a measure aimed at restoring the order in diamonds exploitation, so that the sector can in a robust way contribute to levy revenues for the State.

  

Last Friday at least 12 Angolan citizens, some of them detained by the police, were involved in acts of violence and looting against Congolese citizens in local market of Saurimo City.

 

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