Namibe: Twelve people have been killed and dozens more injured in violent clashes between members of the Nhaneca and Kuvale ethnic communities in Angola’s Namibe Province. The fighting, which began on August 17 in the municipalities of Cacimbas and Camucuio, has also left homes destroyed and entire families displaced, deepening humanitarian concerns in the drought-stricken region.
The conflict, according to local observers, stems from longstanding disputes over land and water resources that have become increasingly scarce following years of severe drought. Pastoral communities in southern Angola, such as the Nhaneca and Kuvale, rely heavily on livestock herding. With grazing land shrinking and water supplies running dry, tensions between groups have grown, eventually erupting into deadly violence.
Church leaders and government officials have stepped in to defuse tensions. Father Jamba Candjongo, Assistant Parish Priest of Nossa Senhora do Carmo in Camucuio, confirmed that most of the violence was carried out by young men from both communities. “The situation has calmed for now, but fear remains widespread,” he noted, urging dialogue as the only path to reconciliation. Parish Priest Father Joaquim Ernesto also emphasized that the Catholic Church stands ready to mediate peace talks and foster healing between the two groups.
Despite the fragile calm, the scars of the violence are visible. Families have begun burying their loved ones with the assistance of local authorities, while others remain displaced, uncertain about returning to their homes. The tense atmosphere continues to weigh heavily on daily life in Cacimbas and Camucuio.
Seeking a long-term solution, the Angolan government has unveiled an emergency plan to boost water access in Namibe Province. Governor Archer Mangueira announced the construction of six new dams and the rehabilitation of 43 reservoirs to help stabilize the water supply and reduce competition over vital resources. “Only by addressing the root causes of scarcity can we prevent these tragedies from repeating,” Mangueira stated.
For now, Namibe remains caught between uneasy calm and lingering mistrust. While immediate violence has subsided, both the Church and government recognize that without tangible solutions and genuine dialogue, the cycle of conflict risks reigniting.