Angolan journalist Isidro Kangandjo, responsible for the portal Factos Diários, has been detained since Friday, 25th, in the municipality of Calumbo, Luanda province. The detention has raised concerns among local and international communities. According to reports, Kangandjo was taken into custody without prior notification or presentation of a detention warrant. The circumstances surrounding his detention remain unclear.
The Police National and the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC) had not provided any explanation for the detention by the time of publication. The portal O Decreto, which broke the news, reported that Quintino Ferreira, spokesperson for the Department of Investigation of Penal Illicit (DIIP), referred to the SIC for clarification. However, Manuel Alaiwa, spokesperson for the SIC, redirected the communication back to the DIIP.
Sources close to the Calumbo Municipal Administration suggest that Kangandjo had been contacted by the Institutional Communication Office of the administration to hear the version of Juelson Joaquim da Costa, deputy administrator for the Technical Area. Costa is allegedly mentioned in a case related to land occupation in the area. These sources speculate that Kangandjo's detention may be linked to this issue and the political influence attributed to Mara Quiosa, MPLA vice-president.
According to sources cited by O Decreto, Juelson Joaquim da Costa allegedly has influence over local criminal investigation bodies and the Police, and may have ordered Kangandjo's detention without presenting a warrant. The portal also reports that Kangandjo was detained without prior notification or presentation of a detention warrant. However, these claims have not been confirmed by the authorities.
Attempts by O Decreto to contact Juelson Joaquim da Costa for comment were unsuccessful, with no response to phone calls. Similarly, efforts to obtain an official explanation from the DIIP or SIC regarding Kangandjo's detention were also unsuccessful. The lack of transparency and clarity surrounding the detention has sparked concerns about press freedom and the rule of law in Angola.
The detention of Isidro Kangandjo has raised questions about the relationship between the media, government, and law enforcement agencies in Angola. The international community has called for greater transparency and accountability in such cases. The Angolan government has faced criticism in the past for its handling of press freedom and human rights.
The case of Isidro Kangandjo highlights the challenges faced by journalists in Angola, particularly those investigating sensitive topics such as corruption and land grabbing. The situation remains uncertain, with Kangandjo's whereabouts and the reasons for his detention still unknown.
Key points
- The detention of Isidro Kangandjo has sparked concerns about press freedom and the rule of law in Angola.
- The circumstances surrounding Kangandjo's detention remain unclear, with authorities failing to provide an explanation.
- The case highlights the challenges faced by journalists in Angola, particularly those investigating sensitive topics.
