For weeks, disturbing images have circulated on social media showing mutilated men, women and children — victims of brutal attacks, according to the separatist Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC-FAC). They claim these civilians were abused by the Angolan army in retaliation for separatist assaults.

FLEC-FAC spokesman Emmanuel Nzita, speaking to DW from exile in Switzerland, confirmed these allegations, describing systematic revenge attacks by government forces against civilians.

"Whenever FLEC-FAC carries out operations against occupation troops, the army responds with brutal violence against innocent people," he said.

Independent verification remains difficult. The Angolan government has denied the allegations, asserting that Cabinda is largely pacified and fully controlled by security forces. Official statements from the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights regularly emphasize that civilians are not harmed.

The recent accusations and........

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