Luanda - Angolan minister of Interior Eugénio Laborinho Friday spoke of the need to speed up Angola/Republic of Congo relations to ensure strengthening of bilateral cooperation.
Speaking at the Angola/Congo ministerial meeting on defence and security, the official said the creation of a Permanent Joint Defence and Security Commission was fundamental, focusing on defence, security and public order fileds.
Eugénio Laborinho considered it pertinent to strengthen cooperation relations in the framework of police activity, exchange of information, organised crime, illegal immigration and against terrorism.
The Angolan official stated that it is also in the country's interest to have a mutually beneficial cooperation, capable of equipping the security and internal order bodies with technical means and knowledge to meet the challenges that are imposed.
Cross-border offences
According to Eugénio Laborinho, the security situation at the common border still requires attention, despite the operational actions that have been carried out to prevent and combat cross-border crimes.
He noted that, in recent times, there have been several armed actions by terrorist groups that sow pain and mourning among the population.
Laborinho said it was urgent that the defence and security bodies of the two countries take the necessary measures aimed to prevent the two territories from being used as strongholds and hiding places for groups that sow pain and mourning.
Congo promises to work together
In turn, the Congolese Minister of Security and Public Order, Raymond Zéphrin Mboulou, expressed his country’s availability to work with the Angolan authorities on patrolling the 210 kilometers of common border to counter actions that undermine bilateral relations.
As for the historic relations between the two States, the official guaranteed that "nothing prevent them from strengthening the ties".
In his speech, Raymond Zéphrin Mboulou defended the fight against illegal immigration, fuel smuggling, terrorism, among other actions that harm bilateral relations.
Opening of the border
At the meeting, the parties analysed the security situation and the possibilities of reopening the common border to ensure the normal movement of people and trade, as part of the easing measures to mitigate the effects of Covid-19 in the two countries.
At the end of the meeting, the parties recommended the promotion of permanent actions for the exchange of information between the defence and security forces of Angola and Congo, which act on the common border.
The parties decided to revive the periodic meetings between the military and police commands of Angola and the Republic of Congo, as well as the reactivation of regular meetings between the provincial governments of Cabinda (Angola) and Pointe Noire, Kouilou and Niari (Congo).
