30 January 2008
Luanda — Angolan Home minister, Roberto Leal Monteiro "Ngongo", said Wednesday in Luanda that his institution will intensify actions to disarm the civilian population.
Speaking in an interview with the State-controlled "Rádio Nacional de Angola" broadcasting station, the official said the Interior Ministry has for that purpose defined three phases for the process.
He mentioned sensitising and organisation (including a seminar), voluntary surrender of weapons and execution of operation (coercive surrender).
As to whether or not there will be incentives, Roberto Leal Monteiro "Ngongo" stressed collective social incentives, rather than individual ones, are being considered.
"We are gathering experience from African countries. For example, in an area where the population participates in the collection of weapons, creation of incentives that benefit the community, like the construction of a school".
The minister underlined that in 2007, a total of 8,479 firearms were collected by the National Department of Criminal Investigation (DNIC). The operation included the seizure of 355 pistols.
He said the police are counting on the assistance of some churches in the process.
The official said he believes a great part of the civil population will be disarmed, thus refuting assertions from certain sectors that there is no political will to disarm the civilians.
To him, the process of disarming of civilians is part of the combat against crime.
On the other hand, the minister said there are no indications in the country of organised crime. "We consider that we are not yet a country where there is organised crime", he stressed.
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