Africa-Press – Angola. The president of the Association of Fishermen in Cabinda (APC), Lucas Matala Loto, reaffirmed Thursday, in this city, to fishermen and fishing operators at provincial level, the end of the constant violations that have been registered at the borders maritime connections with the neighboring countries of the Republics of Congo and Gabon.
Lucas Matala Loto, said that this practice is causing consequences, such as what is happening with the fifteen (15) Angolan fishermen arrested and sentenced in the Central Prison of Libreville-Republic of Gabon, since July 2022.
Interviewe about the current reality of the 9 fishermen detained, without trial and six (6) judged and sentenced to two years in prison in the Central Prison of Libreville, Lucas Matala Loto referred that it is a difficult situation to describe, as its members survive in those cells, with a lack of food, medicine, hygienic material and family support.
́ ́It really is a concern for the association, since they are Angolan human beings who are trapped there. It is said that a group of six (6) of them are sentenced to two years in jail and the rest have not yet been judged”, he lamented.
He also made it known that the family members and the association express constant concern and continue to initiate various contacts with legal entities in the province (captaincy of the Port of Cabinda and the provincial government) for a solution in order to return to the country and serve jail time in the province of cabin.
APC recognizes the illegal practice of its affiliates which constitutes a crime by the Gabonese maritime authorities.
́ ́We learned that they violated the maritime borders of Ponta-Negra and Gabon, reason for their arrest. But in human terms, we can find a solution and bring them to Angola, where they can serve their sentence, which would be ideal given the lack of conditions in the cells. We have reports that many of them are sick, with health difficulties. This has already cost one of them the loss of life,” he warned.
APC raised awareness to end violations
Lucas Matala Loto promised that he will intensify awareness-raising actions, among fishermen and shipowners, to put an end to these practices and avoid crimes of violation of maritime borders with neighboring countries, except for issues of haulage due to engine breakdown.
It should be recalled that in May of this year, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, on her working visit to Cabinda, held separate meetings with the provincial Government and with the Association of Artisanal Fishermen and Local Shipowners, to present the perspectives and force lines of the department, where she was informed about the issue of Angolan fishermen convicted in Gabon.
Also, a delegation from the Angolan diplomatic mission in Gabon has already visited the province, where it held meetings with the provincial government and the Fishermen’s Association of Cabinda, to transmit the responsibilities that weigh on the violation of Gabonese territorial waters and the sanctions regarding arrest, trial, conviction and sentence in the respective country.
A source linked to the Angolan Embassy in Gabon said that there have been contacts with the detainees and convicts to eliminate some of the difficulties they request.
APC has a record of more than three thousand fishermen legalized in the Captaincy, of the approximately 19 thousand who carry out fishing activities in the main municipality of Cabinda, which includes fishmongers, in a universe of about 800 artisanal vessels, between operational and paralyzed due to maintenance and engine breakdowns.
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