Oil-rich Cabinda Still Waits for Independence from Angola

September 26, 2012

When Angolan President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos is inaugurated for another term in office, many in the province of Cabinda are not expected to join the celebrations. The oil-rich region continues to demand its independence from Angola, claiming it is marginalized and exploited.

Until recently, worshippers at Sunday mass in Cabinda would hear political sermons in favor of independence, but not any more. The former priest is gone, and the current one refuses interviews, saying he does not talk about politics.

Despite its appearance as a peaceful seaside town, Cabinda is restive. For many years, local separatist groups have been fighting against the Angolan government for independence, to no avail.

Oil is Cabinda's main resource, producing up to 70 percent of Angola's output. And oil revenues make up half of Angola's GDP, wealth that is not equally shared according Raul Danda, an opposition leader in parliament.

"Angolans say that is a very rich country. But you have one of the poorest people here in this country. So, what good is wealth?" said Danda.

The government has agreed to give ten percent of its oil revenues per year to Cabinda, but Danda says this is not enough.

"You have the production going up, you have oil prices going up, and you have the same amount of six millions dollars, saying it is ten percent of oil revenues, which is a lie," he said.