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Proof of how crazy people can be

As a US government employee at the time, I wasn't actually allowed to travel into Angola or Congo for that matter due to the instability of the region, and well, the fact its full of landmines, that is mainly why I was astounding when I found out they were playing the African Cup of Nations there. While it is terrible anyone was hurt in this attack, there are several players involved in this cup that are Major fulbol'ers world wide and it continues to push the point that clubs will work harder and harder to prevent their players from having to return to national team duty for this type of stuff. There was a short period of time where I was thinking of trying to talk my way into getting into angola for this cup, but alas I left the region before hand anyway.

On the other hand, separatism is real, and robust in many countries in the world, and very dangerous. However all the people from Angola I met were very generous and open people. Unfortunate that because of the magnitude of the viewing audience of this event, the thing likely to be remembered, certainly by the west, is this ordeal.
 
Spokesman came out, 3 confirmed dead. The bus driver who was Angolan, a representative, and an assistant coach that were both from Togo. Numerous other physical and psychological wounds as well. Togo pulled itself out of the cup and is heading home, which seems completely reasonable. Terrible tragedy.

Gonani Bwino Anznga
 
If anyone else is still following this, European clubs have started asking Fifa and national futbol'ing organizations to recall their players to them from Angola. Not all teams mind you, I know a lot are just asking for increase security measures, but a handful have requested specific players be removed from the cup.
 
A fairly standard separatist group left over from the civil war(s) that raged in that country. At this point they are no longer interested in a voice in government so much as being able to declare their region an autonomous state. Like many separatists they see themselves in the midst of a continuing civil war, and being oppressed in some way or another. Because of these factors, they use methods that they believe are 'just' in war time.

This is all predicate on the fact that people with ideology still run the organization as opposed to some head honchos that are in it for control, or economic reasons. In this area of the world it can often be difficult to figure that part out - but regardless doing things like this is terrible with any motives.

I imagine they figured that doing something like this would bring a lot of attention to their 'cause', especially given the fact that a lot of the players involved are tied to clubs and organizationa all over the world.
 
I never set foot in the city proper areas, but I was in the outskirts near the border of Zambia. I felt relatively safe, and the people treated me awfully well. I imagine the cities are a tad different - probably closer to a cross between western Africa, and J-burg, South Africa.
 
We had very tight security detail in Luanda and were not allowed to stay in hotels there or walk on the street. Went to a couple of decent restaurants on the Ilha that were full of expats, but other than that there is no reason to ever go there. It's the most expensive place in the world, as they have to import absolutely everything, despite being a world leader in diamond and oil production.
 
Yeah its difficult to move a lot of diamond product out of angola with international considerations for the stones, and the majority of the oil is actually produced in the Cabinda province which is actually where these separatists are from, and where the shootings took place. And I would agree, to live like a westerner in many African countries is pretty expensive. I was doing HIV work in the bantu speaking regions - there are a lot of people there that need a lot of help, that is for sure. I think if i had the ability to go back and continue my work, I would do so in a heart beat. The majority are incredible people just trying to survive in the face of crippling poverty, political unrest, and disease. It definitely isn't a touring destination.
 
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