For weeks, distracted images have shown children of cruel attacks, according to the separatist front, according to the separatist front for the liberation of the enclave of Kabinda (Flake-fac), showing the victims of the dismantled men, women and children of cruel attacks on social media. They claim that these citizens were abused by the Angaolan Army in vengeance for separatist attacks.
The Flake-Fac spokesperson, Emmanuel Nuzita, confirmed the thesis allegations, talking to DW from exile in Switzerland.
He abolished the attacks organized by government forces against citizens: “Wanvor Flake-Fac operated against the soldiers occupied, the army responds with brutal violence against innocent people.”
Independent verification is difficult. The Angaolan government denied the allegations, stating that Kabinda was largely pacified and completely controlled by security forces. Official statements of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights regularly insist on the fact that citizens are not harmed.
Recent allegations and images have been mentioned in villages near Mbamba in May 2025. DW requests for comment from the concerned ministries were unfair.
Conflicting account
The Angaolan government says that the situation in Kabinda is becoming increasingly stable. State media recently reported that 202 youths voluntarily surrendered their weapons and abandoned the freedom struggle of Flake-Fack.
Nzita dismissed it as a propaganda promoted. He alleged that most of the thesis is the so-called “defectors” unemployed men of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who are never members of Flake-Fes and barely speak Portuguese.
“The government lured the thesis youth with jobs and money promises to legalize its publicity show,” Najita told DW.
Five decades of conflict
The resource-rich Kabinda on the West Coast of Africa is a direct land connection between the Congo and the Republic of Congo to the Republic of Congo. For nearly 50 years, local groups have demanded independence from Angola.
Before Angola’s independence in 1975, Kabinda was a Portuguese protector. It was integrated in Angola without local consent – an act is still considered illegitimate by many residents.
The FLEC-FAC is fragmented in several factories with daring demands and methods. A 2006 peace settlement failed to end the conflict, as not all separats followed it.
Political claims and legal foundations
Bartolomu Capita, Leader of Cabindon National Movement (Movimento Nacional De Cabinda, MNC), Talking to a purely political freedom movement, DW, emphasized the unique cultural and historical identity of Kabinda: “Our region is geographically different from Angola, culturally distinction and historically independent.”
Capita distance Hemalf from Armed Flake-Fes, claimed that it has been manipulated by foreign intelligence agencies. Now a stateless refugee living in Germany, he advocates a diplomatic solution in the “Binding International Agreements”.
The Cabindon National Movement mainly cites the 1885 treaty of Simulambuko, which gave the status of Kabinda Guard under Portugal and forced Portugal to protect his regional integrity. Hence Kabinda is included in Angola in 1975, so it is considered illegal under international law.
Oil money amid social difficulty
Kabinda produced about 60% oil of Angola, normally $ 40 billion annually. Nevertheless, the situation of this region has deteriorated for decades.
The average life expectancy during the colonial time has increased to 48 today for 75 years. Child and maternal mortality rank at the highest positions worldwide. The oil increases environmental damage away from the coast and further degrades local livelihood.
Capita warns: “Human rights and environmental protection in Cabinda is so severely violated that it is for near-thoside.”
Edited by: Benita van Esen
