What is Cabinda (province)?

Cabinda (also: Kabinda) is an exclave and province of Angola, a status that has been disputed by many political organizations in the territory. The capital city is also called Cabinda. The municipalities of Belize, Cacongo and Buco Zau are in the territory.

Modern Cabinda results from the fusion of three kingdoms: N'Goyo, Loango and Kacongo. It is 7,283 km² in area, and has a population of 300,000 inhabitants. According to 1988 United States government statistics the total population of the province was 147,200, with a near even split between total rural and urban populations. About one third of Cabindans are refugees living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It is separated from Angola by the DRC, which bounds the province on the south and the east. Cabinda is bounded on the north by the Republic of the Congo, and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Adjacent to the coast are some of the largest oilfields in the world; the exploration began in 1954.

Cabinda produces hardwoods, coffee, cacao, rubber, and palm oil products. Petroleum production began in 1968 and now accounts for most of Angola's production. Cabinda produces 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Cabinda Oil is associated with Sonangol, Agip Angola Lda. The Sonangol has (41%), Chevron (39.2%) Total (10%) and Eni (9.8%).

While the Angolan Civil War largely ended in 2002, an armed struggle persists in the exclave of Cabinda, where some of the factions have proclaimed an independent Republic of Cabinda, with offices in Paris. The Treaty of Simulambuco establishes in Cabinda a Protectorate of Portugal and many consider illegal the occupation by Angola of the territory.

History

Portuguese explorers, missionaries and traders arrived at the mouth of the Congo (or Nzere) river in the mid-15th century, making contact with the powerful King of the Congo (Manikongo). The Manikongo controlled much of the region through affiliation with smaller kingdoms, such as the Kingdoms of Ngoyo, Loango and Cacongo in present-day Cabinda. Over the years, the Portuguese, Dutch, and English established trading posts, logging camps and small palm oil processing factories in Cabinda. Trade continued and the European presence grew, resulting in conflicts between the rival colonial powers.

Through the Treaty of Simulambuco in 1885 between the kings of Portugal and Cabinda's princes, a Portuguese protectorate was decreed, reserving rights to the local princes and independent of Angola. Cabinda once had the Congo River as the only natural boundary with Angola, but in 1885, the Conference of Berlin extended the Congo Free State's territory along the Congo River to the river's mouth at the sea.

In 1975, the Treaty of Alvor integrated Cabinda into Angola, but this treaty was rejected by all Cabindan political organizations. These organizations argue that because they had no input on the document, it was, and is, illegal, and therefore does not bind them to Angola.

Secessionist movement

A secessionist movement, the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (Frente para a Libertação do Enclave de Cabinda, FLEC), has been active since Angola's independence from Portugal in 1975.

FLEC controlled most of the region in 1975, and constituted a provisional government led by Henriques Tiago. The independence of Cabinda from Portugal was proclaimed on August 1, 1975. Luiz Branque Franque was elected president. After the declaration of Angolan independence in November 1975, Cabinda was invaded by forces of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola, MPLA), with support troops from Cuba. The MPLA overthrew the provisional FLEC government, and incorporated Cabinda into Angola. FLEC has continued its political and military struggle for Cabindan independence since the invasion, with little success. The FLEC has since split into several groups, some urging violent resistance, and some peaceful resistance.

In April 1997, Cabinda joined the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization, a democratic and international organization whose members are indigenous peoples, occupied nations, minorities and independent states or territories.

An ad-hoc commission of United Nations for human rights in Cabinda reported in 2003 that many atrocities had been perpetrated by the MPLA. In 2004, according to Peter Takirambudde, executive director of the Human Rights Watch mission for Africa, the Angolan army continued to commit crimes against civilians in Cabinda.

Although Angola has claimed that FLEC-FAC is no longer operative, this is disputed by the Republic of Cabinda and its president, Nzita Henriques Tiago. Recent hikes in oil prices have made Cabinda's untapped onshore oil reserves a valuable commodity. Both the Republic of Cabinda and Angola have awarded onshore oil and gas leases.

Peace deal

In July 2006, after negotiations in the Republic of the Congo, Antonio Bento Bembe announced that the Cabindan separatist forces were ready to declare a ceasefire. He is the leader of the "Cabindan Forum for Dialogue", which represents some, but not all, Cabindan groups.

"We're going to sign a cease-fire with the Angolans who in return have accepted the principle of granting special status to Cabinda," he announced, implying that while his group is resigned to be a part of Angola, they have gotten a promise of some form of autonomy.^[1]

FLEC-FAC contends Bembe has no authority or mandate to negotiate with the Angolans and that the only acceptable solution is total independence.^[2]

See also

• Early Congolese history

References

External links

• UNPO resolution concerning the Cabinda Enclave, June 26, 2005
• Another Cabindan web site
• US government statistics from 1988
• angola.org.uk
• Kabinda in the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica
• Exploitation of people of Cabinda alleged

•  • [ e] Provinces of Angola
Bengo | Benguela | Bi | Cabinda | Cuando Cubango | Cuanza Norte | Cuanza Sul | Cunene | Huambo | Hula | Luanda | Lunda Norte | Lunda Sul | Malanje | Moxico | Namibe | Uge | Zaire

•  • [ e] Portuguese Empire

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