Angola Asks DRC to Prevent Illegal Diamond Miners from Crossing Border

Angola's Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Mawete Joao Baptista has asked the DRC to take steps to prevent its citizens crossing into Angola and taking part in illegal diamond mining.

Baptista made the request in a meeting with Jean Pierre Mbemba, the Congolese Vice President for Economic Activities.

Diamond-rich Angola, one of Africa's main diamond producers, last year deported around 300,000 illegal immigrants, mostly from the DRC, accused of smuggling diamonds from the main diamond area of Luanda Norte province.

Angolan Mining Minister Manuel Africano has said the country was losing $1 million a day through the illegal trade in diamonds.

Angola launched a controversial crackdown on illegal immigrants said to be involved in illicit diamond dealing in December 2003 and so far almost 500,000 people have been deported.

However, neighboring governments, the United Nations and human rights groups have all complained about the crackdown, accusing Angolan security forces of brutality in implementing the deportations. There have been reports that some women and children had been raped and forced to walk long distances without food or water.