Cabinda War facts for kids

The Cabinda Province is a special part of Angola. It's like an island of land that belongs to Angola but isn't directly connected to it. This means Cabinda doesn't share a border with the rest of Angola. Instead, other countries and the ocean separate them.

A group called the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (often called FLEC) wants Cabinda to become its own country. They believe Cabinda should be independent from Angola.

Before Angola became a free country from Portugal, FLEC fought against the Portuguese. After Angola gained its independence, Cabinda became part of Angola. Since then, FLEC has been fighting against the Angolan government.

In 1956, people discovered a lot of crude oil in Cabinda. This oil is very valuable. The fighting in Cabinda, known as the Cabinda War, has been going on since late 1975. It is one of the longest wars in Africa.

What is Cabinda?

Cabinda is a small piece of land on the west coast of Africa. It is rich in natural resources, especially oil. Because of its oil, Cabinda is very important to Angola's economy.

Why is it an Exclave?

An exclave is a part of a country that is separated from the main part. It is surrounded by other countries or the sea. For Cabinda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo are between it and the rest of Angola. This makes travel and connection difficult.

The Fight for Independence

The main reason for the conflict is the desire for Cabinda to be independent. Many people in Cabinda feel they are different from the rest of Angola. They believe they should control their own land and resources.

The Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC)

FLEC is the main group fighting for Cabinda's freedom. They have been active for many years. Their goal is to create an independent state of Cabinda.

Early Fights Against Portugal

Before 1975, Angola was a colony of Portugal. FLEC fought against the Portuguese rulers. They wanted to end colonial rule in Cabinda.

Fighting the Angolan Government

When Angola became independent, Cabinda was made part of Angola. FLEC did not agree with this. They then started fighting against the new Angolan government. This conflict has continued for decades.

The Importance of Oil

Oil was found in Cabinda in the mid-1950s. This discovery changed everything. Cabinda's oil fields are a major source of wealth. They bring a lot of money to Angola.

Oil and the Conflict

The oil wealth is a big part of why the conflict continues. FLEC believes that Cabinda's oil money should stay in Cabinda. They want it to benefit the local people. The Angolan government, however, uses the oil money for the whole country.

A Long-Lasting Conflict

The Cabinda War started in 1975. It has been going on for a very long time. This makes it one of the longest conflicts in Africa's history. Many people have been affected by the fighting.

Efforts for Peace

Over the years, there have been attempts to find a peaceful solution. Different groups have tried to talk and make agreements. However, a lasting peace has been hard to achieve.

See also

In Spanish: Guerra de Cabinda para niños