Congolese migrants flood home, Angola denies claims of brutal crackdown

Congolese migrants expelled from Angola in a crackdown on artisanal diamond mining carry their belongings as they walk to Tshikapa in Kasai province, near the border with Angola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo [Courtesy]

Congolese migrants and officials said dozens of people were killed this month in neighboring Angola in a crackdown on artisanal diamond mining, an accusation Angolan security forces strongly denied.

Angola, the world’s fifth largest diamond producer, has launched an operation in recent weeks to clear tens of thousands of people involved in digging for precious stones in the northeast of the country in order to attract more private investment.