On 12 May 2026, human rights defenders Jaime Domingos Chimbamba Mussinda, Edgar Cláudio and João Luanda were arrested and taken by police to the ex-Controlo do Benfica police station in Luanda, Angola’s capital. At the time of their arrest, the three were documenting violations against women informal sellers, known in Angola as zungueiras. The three were subsequently held at the police station for five hours without clear information on the grounds for their detention before being released without charge. The Angolan authorities must immediately launch an investigation into their arbitrary detention and ensure they are protected from further intimidation, harassment or reprisals for their human rights work.
