Living in Angola

Security Issues in Luanda

This section offers an overview of necessary safety precautions for an enjoyable stay in Luanda. Upon your arrival in Luanda, request a briefing from your security office for the most current information.

The threat of criminal attack upon expatriates is always relatively high in Luanda due to inflation, shortages of power, water and food, and the stark contrast between the living conditions of the majority of Angolans. Because expatriates generally have a far higher quality of life than the average Angolan, they are faced with a threatening environment that requires close attention to personal security at all times.

How to Prevent Crime - The following commonsense guidelines will lessen the risk you face in Luanda and make it more difficult for criminals to get to you.

Residential Security Tips:

Use all security devices, shut and lock (double lock, if possible) all doors when you are inside. If you have a "safe haven," sleep inside it with the doors locked.
Do not investigate suspicious noises yourself; send your guard or call for help.
Use eyeholes before opening the door and/or gate.
Do not leave valuable possessions or large sums of money lying around.
Exercise care of what you discuss in front of domestic staff, guards, and drivers. Information is critical for a criminal. Do not permit your staff to get into lengthy discussions with your workers.
Key control is very important. Keep keys secure and in a safe place.
Use secure storage for your valuables and pack away expensive items when you go away.
Lock the doors and remove keys to areas that you consider off-limits.
Be alert when you depart and arrive at your residence. Criminals will often observe and gather information on their target before acting.
You should always be notified before workmen arrive. Put away valuables and do not allow them to be without supervision at any time; limit their exposure to your property as much as possible.
Take great care in hiring domestic staff and avoid temporary help whenever possible.

Car Safety:

Before taking the car make sure that the vehicle is working properly, that you have sufficient fuel for the trip, your radios are charged, and carry a spare battery, if necessary.
Check that you know where you are going. If new in town, or unsure, take a guide and/or a guard. Remember where there are "safe points," such as your Embassy, and how to get to them.
Drive safely and use your seat belts. Drive soberly, slowly, and minimally at night.
Drive with your doors locked and your windows closed.
Try to vary the times, and routes, that you leave and return from work; unpredictability on a target's part will disable a criminal operation.
Make sure that you have all of your paperwork with you, including driver's license, certified copy of your passport (available from the Embassy's Consular Section), and radio license. It is very important to make sure that these are kept up to date.
Stop and look around before leaving the vehicle, particularly if you have to open gates when you arrive. Drive away if anything looks suspicious.
Leave a gap of half a car length in front of you in traffic lanes and wherever possible, try to stay in the outside lane of traffic.
Drive away from accidents if you can. If the accident is your fault, and circumstances permit, motion to other drivers involved to follow, or throw a card out of the window and head for your Embassy. Police authorities support this policy because the crowds that gather around accidents can quickly become aggressive.
If you have a breakdown, flat tire, or an accident and you cannot drive away, then call for help.
If you have to park, do so in the best lit areas on main roads wherever possible. Always make sure your vehicle is securely locked.
Keep an eye out for vehicles that may be following you, but do not become paranoid - many vehicles in Luanda look similar and a vehicle can take the same three or four turns as you without malicious intent. However, if you think you are being targeted, drive straight for a safe area. If you have a passenger, ask them to get a clear description of the vehicle. Make sure to notify a co-worker or security if applicable that you need help.
Avoid touring Luanda after dark.
Travel in convoys, especially if traveling out of town, and try to have at least one person in the convoy who can communicate in Portguese.
Avoid confrontations with the police; be polite, respectful and remain calm.
If anyone confronts you with a weapon, give them what they want!

Remaining secure in Angola is not altogether different from staying safe in the United States. While criminal activity can pose a threat to your security, it should not prevent you from having an acceptable lifestyle. Awareness and common sense go a long way towards avoiding incidents. Most incidents, 80-90%, occur as a result of an expatriate doing something imprudent, such as driving under the influence of alcohol, taking an evening stroll in an undesirable or unfamiliar area, or leaving doors unlocked and windows open while in a vehicle.