AFRICA/ANGOLA - Special status for Cabinda announced by Angolan Premier to solve the question of the oil rich disputed enclave

Luanda (Fides Service)- The Angolan government is considering offering “special status” to the Angolan enclave of Cabinda which lies between Congo Brazzaville and Congo Kinshasa. Angola’s prime minister Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos has said “the province lives in a clearly positive situation and evident progress” thanks to the first stage of the government’s programme to restore peace in the enclave.
The Premier suggested Cabinda might be given special status to complete the pacification process. Special status would mean more power for the provincial government and local administration with the assignment of certain competencies transferred from the central government.
The Premier said he was “confident that the question of Cabinda can be settled peacefully”.
In the meantime talks continue with the Front for Liberation of Enclave Cabinda FLEC, the main pro-independence group. One matter of dissent is the sharing of revenues from the enclave’s rich oil reserves. For years Cabinda has been at the centre of a civil conflict between the Angolan army and FLEC. The Catholic Church in Angola has repeatedly denounced serious abuse of human rights in the enclave (see Fides 14 January 2004)
Oil rich Cabinda produces 700,000 barrels a day two thirds of Angola’s total national income. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 29/3/2006 righe 25 parole 273)
Info on Cabinda in Italian:
http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=3180&la