In the heart of Kasai, in Kamako, a border marked by despair and uncertainty. Two hundred people, including 59 children and 50 women, were brutally pushed back from Angola, leaving their hopes and dignity behind. A heartbreaking scene took place 150 kilometers from Tshikapa, in palpable deprivation, without assistance, food or medical care. This massive expulsion, a true human tragedy, raises the burning issue of illegal immigration and highlights the security challenges at the borders between the Republic of Angola and Kasai.
During the inspection visit carried out from June 19 to 21, 2024, the police commander in Kasai, divisional commissioner Sylvano Kasongo, met with his Angolan counterpart, the provincial police commander of Lunda Norte, Gerson Vieira Miguel, as well as as the provincial delegation of the Ministry of the Interior. A summit meeting to address the thorny issues of illegal immigration and regional security.
Faced with this alarming observation, General Silvano Kasongo calls for citizen responsibility, inviting the Congolese population to avoid the paths of illegal immigration. Crucial preventive action to prevent new waves of mass evictions and protect the fundamental rights of individuals.
In this delicate context, local civil society plays a crucial role in urging the authorities to remain vigilant and take measures to ensure the protection of those expelled. The civil society coordinator, Force Vive de Kabuakala, Daouda Kujimiji, raises the need for rapid identification of the people concerned to facilitate their voluntary repatriation and guarantee their adequate care.
Beyond the statistics and figures, this human drama challenges our collective conscience and reveals the urgency of coordinated action to prevent such situations in the future. Human dignity cannot be compromised in the name of borders and restrictive migration policies. It is imperative that the authorities commit to guaranteeing respect for the rights of individuals, whatever their origin.
In this critical moment, every gesture counts, every word has its weight. The two hundred people expelled from Angola to Kamako, much more than a simple statistic, are a reflection of shattered lives and dashed hopes. Their fate calls for unfailing solidarity and deep reflection on the humanitarian and security issues that transcend geographical borders. Kasai, a melting pot of diversity and resilience, aspires to be a place of welcome and support for those seeking refuge and protection. In this time of uncertainty, let us show compassion and solidarity towards our brothers and sisters in distress, to build together a more just and humane future.