Angola repatriates 76 illegal immigrants from DR Congo

LUANDA
Angola's Migration and Foreigner Services (SME) repatriated at least 76 citizens from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from the northern Uije province during an weekend operation, the official news agency Angop reported on Monday.

The foreigners were expelled from the Quimbata bordering station in Maquela do Zombo municipality in Uije province, according to local SME official, Adriano Domingos Neto.

The Congolese including 33 women were detained between Jan. 20 and 26 when they were attempting to head to Luanda, Angola's capital city, Angop said.

Angola expels thousands of foreigners for illegal entering or staying in the country, mostly from neighboring countries, who flocked to Angola for better job opportunities in the lucrative oil, construction and retail industries.