A note from the office of the UN resident coordinator in Angola, Zahira Virani, to which Lusa news agency had access this Friday, states that they are attentive to all situations where there is loss of human lives and that may jeopardize the gains that the country has achieved when it comes to defending human rights and democratic values.
At issue is a confrontation between police and protesters, for an alleged attempt to invade a police station, which authorities classified as armed rebellion, which culminated with six dead, five wounded and 16 arrested, according to official data, which are contradicted by the Movement of the Portuguese Protectorate Lunda Tchokwe (MPPLT), promoters of the demonstration, who speak of at least 25 deaths.
"The United Nations calls for calm and dialogue, emphasizing Angola's valuable role and experience in the stability of the region, which demonstrates the country's capacity for the peaceful resolution of conflicts," the document stresses.
In the end, the commitment to cooperate with member states and with the various partners in all sectors that contribute to the development of Angola was reiterated by the United Nations.
Last Tuesday, deputies from the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), the Broad Convergence for the Salvation of Angola - Electoral Coalition (CASA-CE) and the Social Renewal Party (PRS) announced that the incidents in Cafunfo resulted in 23 dead, 21 wounded and 10 people missing, claiming that police forces "fired indiscriminately against citizens."
On Wednesday, UNITA revised these figures by releasing a report from the five deputies who went to Cafunfo but were prevented from entering, stating that at least 28 people died in a "barbaric, hideous and cold" manner and 18 were injured.
After the commander general of the National Police, Paulo de Almeida, said that there would be no investigation into the case, the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Francisco Queiroz, considered it necessary to conduct an inquiry, admitting the occurrence of human rights violations on both sides of the incident.
