Cabinda: The German International Responsibility
Author: Bartolomeu Capita
Joint-Presidency, Cabindan National Movement
The invasion and
unlawful occupation of Cabinda by “Angola” in 1974/75 is actually the result of
the long-standing imperialistic rivalry between France and Germany. Germany is
called upon to assume her international responsibility under Article 35 of the
Charter of the United Nations, in order to put an end to the political
repression, economic exploitation, and social degradation the occupation
entails.
Overview of the Church "Our Lady Queen of the
World" in Cabinda. Foto: Macauhub.
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In Germany, and the
West at large, few people have ever heard of Cabinda; even among those vaguely
aware of Angola's significance to American interests.
With an area of circa 10,000 square kilometers, some sixty
kilometers north of the Congo River, Cabinda (also spelled Kabinda, formerly called Portuguese
Congo) is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the Republic of the Congo
(Brazzaville), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Its population
is estimated at 1,000,000, of which more than half are refugees living abroad. Cabinda,
where more than half of Angola’s oil is produced and from which the country
earns practically all of its foreign exchange, is also the source of over 70
percent of Angola’s national Budget. Thanks to the grabbed oil of Cabinda,
Angola has become one of the United States' and China’s biggest oil supplier.
Economic exploitation in Cabinda.
Malongo Terminal and City in Cabinda. Malongo Terminal,
where Cabinda crude oil is loaded, is operated by Cabinda Gulf Oil Company
(CABGOC). Source: https://www.angolalng.com
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Apart from its oil reserves, Cabinda is also rich in
Diamonds, Uranium, Gold, Iron, Phosphates, Manganese, Hardwood, and so on. In
crude oil alone, the aggressors get from the subjugated Cabinda over 35 billion
euros per year in royalties, essentially paid by Chevron’s wholly owned subsidiary
Cabinda Gulf Oil Company Ltd. (CABGOC). Cabinda’s misappropriated oil is also associated,
among others, with Sonangol, Agip Angola Lda., Total, and Eni. Actually, the
five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council figure among the
mightiest nations that take the most advantage of Cabinda’s natural resources. Yet,
the UN General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960 insists,
quote: “The subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination and
exploitation constitutes a denial of fundamental human rights, is contrary to
the Charter of the United Nations and is an impediment to the promotion of
world peace and co-operation.”
Cabinda as an endangered people.
Photo: R.H/P; Photo: Luaty Beirão, via Twitter; Photo:
Nichole Sobecki/The Washington Post.
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Cabinda as a victim of Western Imperialistic rivalries.
Photo:
Jenny L.
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Though the German quest for a significant sphere of
influence in Africa, with Cabinda in mind, was endorsed by Portugal and
Cabinda, it angered the French. The rage was such that the French pledged to
prevent Cabinda’s attainment of independence, and thus frustrate the German
dream. The fact remains that the occupation of Cabinda by Angola was
premeditated, and carried out in two steps; 1) the legal-political attack on
Cabinda’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity through the UN GA
Resolution 1542 (XV) of December 15, 1960; 2) the occupation was masterminded
by France and the USA in 1974/75, and militarily backed by Cuba and the Soviet
Union (Russia).
Extent of the German responsibility in Cabinda.
Image: by Bartolomeu
Capita
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The “Cabindan National Movement (CNM)” is convinced of the
need to preserve the political security and stability in the region. Therefore,
CNM is an advocate of an agreed transitional period, in which up-to-date
infrastructures are built; in which the people of Cabinda are trained; and in
which they are given the required skills for self-government, self-defense, and
self-respect. At the end of the agreed transitional period, the people of
Cabinda regain their citizenship and independence from Angola. For the tasks
that the transitional period entails, 5,500,000,000 euros have to be yearly
subtracted from Cabinda’s oil revenues under the auspices of Germany and
Portugal. Actually, 5 billion euros of the above amount are for the integral
development of Cabinda, and 500 million euros for the empowerment of the
Cabinda citizens who live abroad as refugees. “In no case may a people be
deprived of its own means of subsistence”, declares the International Covenant
on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of December 19, 1966.
We expect Germany to be impartial enough to help restore
justice and peace in Cabinda, because justice in Cabinda gives the UN Security
Council additional legitimacy and authority.
Because
people are human beings. Let us reaffirm our own faith in fundamental human
rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of
men and women and of nations large and small.
Additional information:
- Cabinda: Flucht und Migration. https://cabindastruggle.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/cabinda-flucht-und-migration.pdf
- Call on Germany to shoulder her responsibility. https://cabindastruggle.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/call-on-germany-to-shoulder-her-responsibility.pdf
- Consultations with Chancellor Angela Merkel / 2018. https://cabindacitizenship.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/chancellor-angela-merkel-2018.pdf
- Cabinda: French-German Taboos. https://cabindacitizenship.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/Cabinda-French-German-Taboos.pdf
- Call on Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. https://cabindapeoplesvoicehome.files.wordpress.com/2019/06/cabinda-call-on-prime-minister-shinzo-abe.pdf
- Petition to European Christian Churches. https://cabindacitizenship.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/petition-to-european-christian-churches1.pdf
- Consultations with the Holy See. https://cabindacitizenship.files.wordpress.com/2019/02/consultations-with-the-holy-see.pdf
- Paradise Papers: Where Does Angola's Oil Wealth End Up? https://projekte.sueddeutsche.de/paradisepapers/politik/where-does-angola-s-oil-wealth-end-up-e655516/
- Oil rich Cabinda still waits for independence from Angola. https://www.voanews.com/africa/oil-rich-cabinda-still-waits-independence-angola
- Oil-rich Cabinda the poorer for it. https://mg.co.za/article/2012-09-28-00-oil-rich-cabinda-the-poorer-for-it
- An oil boom made it the most expensive city in the world. Now it’s in crisis. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/an-oil-boom-made-it-the-most-expensive-city-in-the-world-now-its-in-crisis/2016/08/02/adf777e8-31c2-11e6-ab9d-1da2b0f24f93_story.html
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