ANGOLA: DROP CHARGES AGAINST SEVEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Dear Prosecutor General,

I am concerned for seven members of the Vikolôngwa Mbútwa community in Huíla Province, Angola: Sapalo António Kakandi, Paulo Cambuta Kapaya, Mwetuyapula Francisco, Eduardo Mbambi Licino Kessongo, Eduardo Tchaima, Francisca Tuahuma, and Cecília Candumbo Mweyanavi.

The Vikolôngwa Mbútwa community depend on the land for farming and livestock rearing. They had sought the intervention of the administrative and provincial authorities to support them in a land dispute and were waiting for a response. On November 23, 2024, the community members heard machinery operating on the land and believed the local administrator had arrived to communicate the authorities’ decision. Instead, they were met by police officers who fired tear gas and rubber bullets at them, and who beat and violently arrested seven members of the community.

While five of the seven were released two days later, the other two remained in pretrial detention for 13 months. All seven were charged with criminal association, serious bodily harm, resistance against a public official, participation in a riot, unlawful use of weapons, threats, and disruption of public services. Their trial began on December 17, 2025. In March 2026, a hearing for the delivery of the judgment was due to take place, but it was postponed. The judgment is now expected at any time.

I urge you to immediately drop the baseless charges against the seven members and end their prosecution. I also urge you to ensure an effective investigation is conducted into the allegations of torture, ill treatment, and excessive use of force against the seven members of the Vikolôngwa Mbútwa community. Pending the dropping of the charges, I call on you to take all necessary measures to ensure that the rights of the defense and all fair trial guarantees are fully ensured.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]