Angola's new crackdown on diamond traffickers

[dArKeR]

Luanda - Angola will begin a new phase of rounding up and expelling illegal immigrants, including diamond traffickers, to stop the "exploitation of economic resources" in the oil-rich country.

At least 11 000 foreigners suspected of illegal diamond trafficking have been expelled from Angola since the first phase of the operation started in December.

"On the orders of government, the army and police have joined for the second phase of an operation to put an end to the exploitation of economic resources in the country, especially diamonds," the government said in a statement late on Thursday.

"Any person, Angolan or foreign, finding themselves in an illegal situation, will be rounded up in temporary zones with medical assistance, food, clothing and housing. Foreigners will be send back to their countries of origin," read the statement, released in Luanda.

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