Angola June 2006 |
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| Migration Services Probe Report, (Angola Press Agency, 2006-06-01):-Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos approved the conclusions and recommendations contained in the Report of the Enquiry Commission into the Migration and Foreigners Services (SME), ordered under a presidential dispatch of 08 February this year. In an official note released Tuesday, the President of the Republic's Aid Services say that, in general terms, the Enquiry Commission realised that there is need to revise and update the SME internal regulations and the law that regulates the juridical regime of foreigners in Angola. There is also an urgent need for the reinforcement of the control of the borders (land, maritime, fluvial) of the country. The Enquiry Commission also found that the lack of strictness on the part of SME officials is responsible for a high number of foreign citizens that entered the country on ordinary and short term visas, but are holders of work and residence permits, besides those that enter without the necessary visas. In this context, the note states, the Enquiry Commission warned of the existence of local private firms that facilitate the legalisation of foreigners in irregular migratory situation, issuing them with letters and working contracts, in defiance of the law. The commission has also denounced the lack of strictness and transparency in the management of revenues from migratory services and others and the existence of corruption and funds embezzlement by SME officials at all levels. As a result of the findings, the Enquiry Commission recommended, among other measures, the renewal of the SME management and its substitution by new personnel with proved competence, experience and honesty and the regular relieving of staff at all levels. The Enquiry Commission has also recommended disciplinary and civil accountability, with no damage to eventual criminal and civil responsibility on the SME director, Maria Joaquina Campos da Silva, her assistant, Rui António Garcia Neto, head of Department of Planning and Finance, Hermenegildo Segunda Licachi, and the head of the Luanda Sector, Rosário Mariano Supi. | |
South African Migration Project (SAMP) - Queen's University - http://www.queensu.ca/samp |