Disputes Over On Shore Oil Resources Prompts Cabindan Request for African Union Intervention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) September 30, 2006 -- Banjul, The Gambia:

Citing an Angolan grab for disputed oil and mineral resources and the growing threat of an all-out war, the Republic of Cabinda, FLEC-FAC (Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda � Armed Forces of Cabinda), and The National Bank of Cabinda have filed an urgent request for intervention by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.

Angolan forces in Cabinda have launched an offensive against Cabindan positions in the northeast of the country and have struck inside the Democratic Republic of the Congo since a failed peace accord was struck in August with the renegade Cabindan commander, Antonio Bento Bembe. The so called peace accord was immediately denounced by all Cabindan factions including FLEC-FAC, Mpalabanda, and the Cabinda Forum for Dialogue (Forum Cabinda for Dialogue, FDC). The Angolan democratic opposition, UNITA, has also questioned the so-called accord�s exclusion of the Cabindan President N'zita Henriques Tiago.

Civil disturbances and spontaneous demonstrations against Bento Bembe have been countered by Angolan troops with live ammunition. FLEC-FAC forces have struck back at Angolan troops in a number of skirmishes. Based on the sham agreement, Angola has assured foreign companies that the untapped mineral and oil rich on shore regions of Cabinda are now safe for exploitation. However, the liberated zones of Cabinda remain in the hands of FLEC-FAC and Chinese and Australian firms have been warned not to enter the territory which holds vast oil reserves and gold, diamonds and uranium which have essentially remained untouched since the Cabindan conflict began in 1975.

Cabinda has asked the African Union�s Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights to appoint a special rapporteur and lend its good offices towards urgently settling the dispute.

A copy of the full communication is at: www.cabinda.net