Angola has expelled over 380,000 migrants recently, mostly from the DR Congo. Credit: jbdodane.

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Expelled

It’s apparently expulsion season in central and southern Africa.

Over the past month, Angola has forced out more than 380,000 undocumented migrants in an effort to root out illegal diamond smuggling. The majority are from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. Amid reports that the migrants have been beaten and harassed by Angolan security forces, Congolese officials are now threatening international action.

In nearby Zambia, the government has ramped up a policy of expelling or barring entry over “security considerations”. The most high-profile victim was Kenyan law professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, the former director of the country’s anti-corruption commission, who was set to speak at a Zambian university. He was denied entry to the country without any detailed explanation of what security threat he posed. A South African opposition leader was also recently denied entry. Critics of Zambian President Edgar Lungu said these actions underscore a creeping authoritarianism.

The two incidents stem from different concerns – the former economic and the latter political – but with similar possible outcomes. Both Angola and Zambia risk fraying regional alliances and signalling to international donors and investors a disregard for due process.

The situation in Congo is even more worrying, though, because it risks creating a temporary crisis. The migrants forced to return to Congo have limited access to food, water and shelter. And there are reports of clashes between the two counties’ security forces along the border.

• Angola says 380,000 illegal migrants exit in weeks (VOA)
• A statement from Zambian civil society organisations on the deportations
• DR Congo threatens international actions over Angola expulsions (Agencies)

Compiled by @_andrew_green

This week’s editorial team: @PeterDoerrie, @_andrew_green, @jamesjwan

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