March in Cabinda for peace
2010-01-16 18:03
Cabinda - A 1 000-strong crowd answered a national government call to march here on Saturday against terrorism and in support of the Togo national side following the deadly attack on their team bus.
"We are here to say no to terrorism and to show our solidarity with the young Togolese," governor of Angola's Cabinda province Jean-Baptiste Mawete told AFP.
The marchers, the majority wearing the Angolan national colours of red and black, made their way from the local government's headquarters through the town.
The attack by Cabinda rebels on the Togo team's convoy as it arrived in this restless northern oil-rich enclave ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations eight days ago killed two people.
Togo pulled out of the competition at their own government's request.
Peace, tranquillity
Saturday's demonstration was made up of Angola ruling party MPLA officials, provincial elders, local authority officials, young footballers, who seemed unclear as to why they were summoned to march, and Africa Cup of Nations volunteers.
"In this year of Africa we want peace, tranquillity and progress to help our country move forward," Mawete declared.
"No one is threatened here and this march allows us to say to the world that Angola is among the countries of the world and lives in peace."
Behind him the assembled crowd marched in high spirits, with banners that delivered an unequivocal message.
"Sport unifies nations" one read. On another was written: "The people of Cabinda support the people of Togo."
Following the attack with automatic weapons on the Togo team's convoy the authorities in Cabinda are intent on putting forward a positive image from this restless northern enclave.
Against terrorism
Behind the large group of local government officials came veteran traditional elders decked out in khaki.
"It's important to stand up against this ignoble act which for the past week has given a certain image of Cabinda," explained Andre Kuenga of the Cabinda Forum for Dialogue.
He added: "It's important to show another image, to show that the people here are peaceful and don't adhere to the politics of terrorism."
Further back in the march were women members of the MPLA, wearing yellow headdresses and red T-shirts.
One marcher, Antonio Juan, who like many in the crowd was carrying a flag with the image of Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos on it, said: "The citizens of Cabinda have chosen to demonstrate against terrorism. That's important because we need peace."
Don't know reason for march
Some of the marchers appeared to have turned up by chance, like the youngsters from the local football club wearing their team's colours of green and white.
"They told us to come and march with the governor but we don't really know why," said Caspard Madiala, who was one of around 20 in the crowd serving as Africa Cup of Nations volunteers.
Bringing up the rear was a young handicapped man who, with his crutches, was having difficulty keeping up with the pace.
The march made its way through the town to congregate in a gymnasium beside the Garden of Peace where the national anthem was played and the governor addressed the crowd.
- SAPA