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Flags of other separatist movements in Cabinda (Angola)

Last modified: 2021-01-02 by bruce berry
Keywords: cabinda | enclave | angola |
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Related pages showing the flags of the main separatist movements in Cabinda: See also:

History of Cabinda

Unlike most other African territories colonized by European countries, Cabinda came into Portuguese possession peacefully, because it was a weak kingdom surrounded by stronger ones and its king asked for Portuguese protection (this is said by the people of Cabinda themselves and not only by Portuguese historians). Cabinda remained a territory under protection until the middle of the 20th century when the Portuguese dictator António de Oliveira Salazar decided to unite Cabinda and Angola to make one colony (he called it first 'Ultramarine'  Territories, and then 'Ultramarine'  provinces, like today's French policy). So, apart from oil-greed, Cabinda's fight for self-determination has some historical basis. As far as flags are concerned, I don't think there is (or was) one. Salazar's policy was 'one nation in Europe and outside Europe', so the flag used was the Portuguese national flag.
Jorge Candeias, 11 August 1997

Portugal first claimed sovereignty over Cabinda in February 1885 through the Treaty of Simbulambuco which gave Cabinda the status of a Portuguese protectorate.  Following the confirmation of the borders of Angola in the mid-1920s, Cabinda was treated as part of Portuguese West Africa (Angola).  In 1974-75, when Portugal gave independence to its African colonies, it was done in a colony by colony basis. According to the Treaty of Alvor between Portugal and the liberation movements in Angola, Cabinda was re-confirmed as being an integral part of Angola. There where never plans for a separate independence process for the enclave although the Treaty was rejected by the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) and other local political movements which advocated independence for the territory.
Jorge Candeias, 04 March 1999

The Fischer Weltalmanach (1976) has a virtual independent Cabinda; Cabinda became important in the 1960's when the Golf Oil Co. discovered oil. The independence movements of Angola saw Cabinda always as an integral part of Angola, while Zaire and Congo (Brazzaville) assisted separatist movements; FLEC had its main seat in Kinshasa till 1975. In July 1975 a provisional revolutionary government (president: Luis Ranque Franque, president of FLEC, prime minister: Francisco Xavier Lubota) was proclaimed, which wanted elections, and independence on 11 Nov 1975, together with Angola.
The Fischer Weltalmanach (1978) mentions a new FLEC-provisional government under Henrique Thiago in Sanda-Massala.
After that it stayed Angolan, as far as I know.
Jarig Bakker, 04 March 1999

[Cabinda is now a province of Angola, the symbols of which can be seen here.]


Frente Unida para Libertação de Cabinda (FULC)

image by Valentine Poposki, 15 Sept 2020

Frente Unida para Libertação de Cabinda (FULC) or the United Front for the Liberation of Cabinda, is one of the newer pro-independence parties in Cabinda. A statement on its objectives can be read here.
Valentine Poposki, 15 Sept 2020


Movimento Independista de Cabinda (MIC)

   image by Valentine Poposki, 15 Sept 2020

  image by Valentine Poposki, 15 Sept 2020

Movimento Independista de Cabinda (MIC) or Movement for the Independence of Cabinda, has had two flags.  The second has been in use since 2019 and comprises three horizontal stripes of red, white and green with the MIC's emblem in the centre surrounded by 7 black five pointed stars.  There are also three yellow five pointed stars in a vertical line near the hoist.
Valentine Poposki, 15 Sept 2020


Movimento Libertação de Cabinda (MLC)

  image by Valentine Poposki, 15 Sept 2020

Movimento Libertação de Cabinda (MLC) or Movement for the Liberation of Cabinda uses a flag divided diagonally deep red and blue, separated by a yellow fimbriation.  In the centre is a large white five pointed star, with two smaller yellow five pointed stars above it and a single yellow five pointed star below.
Valentine Poposki, 15 Sept 2020


União dos Cabindeses para Independência (UCI)

  image by Valentine Poposki, 15 Sept 2020

The União dos Cabindeses para Independência (UCI) or Union of Cabindese for Independence uses a flag which is the same as initial flag used by the Movement for the Independence of Cabinda but defaced with large black letters of its acronym, UCI.

Valentine Poposki, 15 Sept 2020