Umbundu is the language spoken by the Ovimbundu ethnic group, which comprises about 30 to 35 per cent of the population of Angola, while the Kimbundu ethnic group, also called the Mbundu (OFPRA Oct. 1995, 10), constitutes 20 to 25 per cent of the population (OSAR Feb. 1996, 7-8). According to a 20 May 1994 St. Louis Post-Dispatch report, the Kimbundu ethnic group is of mixed - race. Members of the Ovimbundu and Kimbundu groups can be identified by their language: while Ovimbundu speak Umbundu, the Kimbundu (Mbundu) speak Kimbundu (OSAR Feb. 1996, 8).

According to Encyclopedia of the Third World, the Ovimbundu are located in central and southern Angola while the Kimbundu (Mbundu) "occupy the terrain inland from Luanda" (1992, 41). Please see attachment for a map showing the geographic locations of Angola's various groups.

Several reports indicate that the Kimbundu (Mbundu) support the ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), while the Ovimbundu generally favour the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) (Current History Apr. 1995, 185; OFPRA Oct. 1995, 10; OSAR Feb. 1996, 7-8).

According to the Organisation Suisse d'Aide aux Réfugiés, members of the Ovimbundu ethnic group were targeted and massacred by the government, which accused them of being be sympathizers (OSAR Feb. 1996, 29). According to Voice of the Resistance of the Black Cockerel, the "ethnic cleansing campaign" was also conducted against the Umbundu speakers in different localities of the country (6 Mar. 1993).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Current History [Philadelphia]. April 1995. Vol. 94, No 591. Mark N. Katz. "Africa's Delemma: European Borders, Contested Rule."

Encyclopedia of the Third World. 1992. 4th. Vol. 1. Edited by George Thomas Kurian. New York: Facts on File.

Office Française de Protection des Réfugiés et Apatrides (OFPRA). October 1995. Angola. Paris: OFPRA.

Organisation Suisse d'Aide aux Réfugiés (OSAR). February 1996. Angola: Informations pour représentant(e) d'oeuvres d'entraide. Lausanne: OSAR.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 22 may 1994. "Ambitious leaders Incite Ethnic Violence Column: Commentary Column (NEXIS)

Voice of the Resistance of the Black Cockerel [Jamba, in Portuguese]. 6 Mars 1993. "Angola - UNITA Takeover of Huambo; UNITA Radio Commentary Reviews Significance of Battle for Huambo."(BBC Summary 9 March 1993/NEXIS)

Attachments

Current History [Philadelphia]. April 1995. Vol. 94, No. 591. Mark N. Katz. "Africa's Delemma: European Borders, Contested Rule," p. 185

Encyclopedia of the Third World. 1992. 4th. Vol. 1. Edited by George Thomas Kurian. New York: Fact on File, p. 41.

Office Française de Protection des Réfugiés et Apatrides (OFPRA). October 1995. Angola. Paris: OFPRA, pp. 1, 10.

Organisation Suisse d'Aide aux Réfugié (OSAR). February 1996. Angola: Informations pour représentant(e) d'oeuvres d'entraide. Lausanne: OSAR, pp. 7-8, 29.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 22 may 1994. "Ambitious leaders Incite Ethnic Violence Column: Commentary Culumn (NEXIS)

Voice of the Resistance of the Black Cockerel [Jamba, in Portuguese]. 6 Mars 1993. "Angola - UNITA Takeover of Huamb; UNITA Radio Commentary Reviews Significance of Battle for Huambo." (BBC Summary 9 March 1993/NEXIS)