"The European Union is certainly asking for an inquiry to be made into what happened on January 30 in all its complexity and in dialogue with all those who have a role and stakeholders in the process," said Jeannette Seppen.
Speaking at the end of a meeting with the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Francisco Queirós, where the incidents in Cafunfo were discussed, Seppen said she had a "very important and extraordinary" conversation with the minister.
According to Jeannette Seppen, the partnership between the EU and Angola is extensive to "all issues, including human rights" and had the opportunity to express "serious concerns" about what happened on January 30.
"And we had a very open conversation where we talked about the different perspectives on what happened," the European diplomat said.
The incidents in Cafunfo, Lunda Norte province, in the early hours of January 30 resulted in several deaths and injuries, with authorities calling it an "act of rebellion" and protesters calling it a "peaceful act."
The police claim that about 300 people linked to the Movement of the Portuguese Protectorate Lunda Tchokwe (MPPLT), which for years has defended autonomy in this region rich in mineral resources, tried to invade a police station and in defense the forces of order and security fatally shot six people.
The police version is contradicted by the leaders of the MPPLT, political parties in the opposition and local civil society, which speak of more than a dozen deaths.
The European Union, assured the diplomat, "will also continue to follow the response of the Government of Angola, will continue the dialogue not only with the government, but also with members of civil society.
"And we will monitor the process to ensure that human rights are promoted and protected as much as possible," she noted.
Asked whether there have been human rights violations in the wake of the Cafunfo mining village incidents, Jeannette Seppen said it was "too early to have an answer," reiterating, "We are left with very serious concerns."
"And it is for this reason that we have asked for this dialogue with the Minister of Justice and Human Rights today and we will continue to follow the situation, see how the follow-up is done and we will continue to talk to everyone," she assured.
At the opening of the meeting, the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Francisco Queirós, only welcomed the European delegation expressing "openness for dialogue."
