Cabinda has only been part of Angola since the country became independent from Portugal in 1975. Before, it was a kingdom under a Portuguese protectorate.
"Life is difficult because there are so many soldiers here, we can't move around freely. They always stop us, ask to see our documents and question us. Cabinda is rich. So if we were independent, life would be delicious," said Cabinda resident Alexandro Cuanga Cito, who is among those calling for independence.
The Angolan government says the heavy military presence is needed to quell the rebellion. Separatists groups used to kidnap oil workers and take other actions to draw attention to their cause.
In 2010, when Angola was hosting the Africa Cup of Nations, separatist gunmen opened fire on a bus carrying Togo's soccer team, killing several people on board.
Yet independence for Cabinda is unlikely to happen any time soon, says researcher Ana Alves at the South African Institute of International Affairs.
"Because it lacks the support of the region, other regional powers, [and] because it is not known internationally, it is not a big issue like the Sudans or the Great Lake region, I don't think Cabinda will get its independence," she said.
The Angolan government has spent money on infrastructure projects in Cabinda, in an effort to calm the population's discontent. Just before national elections, the government inaugurated the port city's first pier to help spur economic development. But the pier collapsed a few days later, and to date, remains useless.
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2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27