The Front for the Liberation of the State of Cabinda (FLEC) appealed to Washington, in particular the commitment of the American President, Donald Trump, to assume the role of active mediator in resolving the Cabinda issue, the independence movement announced today.
The position is contained in a statement by FLEC, a movement that for several years has claimed the independence of the territory of Cabinda, a province in northern Angola, from where much of Angolan oil comes, evoking the 1885 Treaty of Simulambuco, which designates that territorial portion as a Portuguese protectorate.
In the statement, signed by FLEC spokesperson Jean Claude Nzita, it was highlighted that this movement has followed with particular attention the diplomatic efforts undertaken by the United States of America in various international conflicts, namely in the search for peaceful solutions to territorial and political disputes worldwide.
“In this context, FLEC addresses a solemn appeal to Washington to consider assuming the role of active mediator in the conflict opposing the Cabindan people to the Republic of Angola,” reads the statement.
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According to FLEC, given its historical position, “Cabinda constitutes a distinct territory from Angola, by virtue of the Treaty of Simulambuco signed in 1885 between the Cabindan authorities and Portugal.”
For FLEC, the Cabinda issue is an unfinished decolonization process and presents the territory as a pending issue under international law, stressing that “the Cabinda conflict” has persisted for more than 50 years and “continues to affect several generations of Cabindans.”
“Despite the numerous political developments on the African continent, no definitive political solution has been able to respond to the demands of the Cabindan people, contributing to a persistent climate of tensions,” the document adds.
The situation is attributed by FLEC to the “absence of an inclusive political dialogue, which allows addressing the root causes of the conflict,” regretting “the lack of concrete progress towards a credible and lasting negotiation process.”
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“Facing this reality, FLEC considers that a credible, impartial international mediation based on respect for international law is indispensable to pave the way for a constructive dialogue between the parties,” defends the note.
FLEC appealed to the United States of America “to get involved in the Cabinda issue with the same level of diplomatic commitment, consistency and determination demonstrated in other international dossiers, namely the efforts to accompany dialogue processes relating to Western Sahara.”
The independence movement also argued that a proactive, balanced and structured approach by Washington could favor the emergence of a credible negotiation dynamic oriented towards a peaceful solution.
“FLEC also addresses a particular appeal to the United States President, Donald Trump, to grant personal attention to the Cabinda issue and involve himself directly in the efforts aimed at promoting a peaceful solution to the conflict. In this sense, we explicitly request his personal involvement for the pacification of the Cabindan territory, convinced that his commitment could contribute decisively to the opening of a new framework for dialogue,” exhorts the statement.
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The search for a peaceful solution to the Cabinda issue, according to the note, “will contribute not only to regional stability, but also to the promotion of the principles of justice, dialogue and the right of peoples to self-determination.”
“After more than half a century of conflict, the Cabindan people aspire to the opening of a new era based on peace, justice and respect for their fundamental rights,” observed FLEC, reaffirming its commitment “to a political resolution of the conflict through dialogue, negotiation and international mediation.”
In 2025, the President of Angola, João Lourenço, in an interview with Jeune Afrique magazine, stated that the security situation in the oil-rich province of Cabinda is stable and FLEC-FAC does not represent any threat to the Angolan territory.
