Media Contact: Diara J. Townes, diaratownes@gmail.com, Consultant, CuriousScout Media
Cameroon American Council Contact:
Sylvie Ngassa Qwasinwi Bello, CEO & Founder, Cameroon American Council
Cameroon.american.council@gmail.com
(929) 553-3956

Christmas Cries: Activists Conclude Month-Long Campaign with Urgent Call to Pingree, Congress & Biden: Protect Ana, Undocumented Angolans, Congolese, and Cameroonians in Maine and New England

 

Washington, D.C. (December 23, 2024) — On Friday, the Cameroon American Council (CAC) concludes its month long #BidenInAngola campaign, a groundbreaking advocacy effort that mobilized national media, engaged bipartisan officials, and toured 10 states to secure protections for refugees from Angola, Congo, and Cameroon. Even as the Biden Administration reportedly weighs putting up roadblocks to Trump’s deportation campaign, the CAC calls on lawmakers to pressure President Joe Biden for decisive action to prevent dire consequences for thousands of Central African immigrants in the new year.

Following gut-wrenching pleas from undocumented Angolans in Maine, including Ana Mavungo, a gospel singer from Cabinda who shared her story at a vigil, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) has emerged as a vocal supporter of CAC’s mission.

Mavungo, who sang her song Africa to expose political injustices, recounted fleeing persecution after her activism led to the loss of her career, her family, and even the lives of loved ones. She described leaving her young children behind to escape those seeking to kill her. “I came here to save my life and my kids, but until now, I don’t have all my family with me.”

“Without swift and meaningful intervention, the lives of countless Central African refugees—already fleeing violence, instability, and persecution—will be at risk under the incoming administration,” said Sylvie Ngassa Qwasinwi Bello, Founder and CEO of CAC.

Representative Chellie Pingree’s Support

CAC’s focused advocacy has garnered support from Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME), who stated in an email to a CAC media spokesperson:

“I strongly urge President Biden to extend Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for the Democratic Republic of Congo; to designate TPS for Angola; and to grant Special Humanitarian Parole to Cameroonians. Providing refuge to those fleeing danger is a powerful affirmation of the United States’ unwavering commitment to human rights and justice. These measures—which I have supported in Congress—would not only deepen U.S.-African relations but also reinforce our leadership on the global stage as a nation that values compassion, diplomacy, and humanity. With just weeks left in his presidency, I hope President Biden will act decisively to secure these critical protections, especially as immigrants in Maine and across the country face mounting threats from the next administration.”

Failure to act could leave thousands of Central African refugees vulnerable to deportation, family separation, and persecution. This threat is particularly acute for African Lusophone communities, whose migration to Maine and other states in New England stems from centuries of cultural exchanges with Cape Verde and other Portuguese-speaking African nations.

Shockingly, President Biden met with leaders from Cape Verde, Congo, and Angola, underscoring the importance of U.S.-Africa relations but made no mention of the dire circumstances for the people of these nations or their families in New England.

Biden’s Actions on the 5Rs Initiative

The Biden administration has taken steps to address some of the Cameroon American Council’s 5Rs Initiative, a comprehensive framework for addressing the needs of Central African migrants. Still, key opportunities to fully embrace revitalization have been missed.

Remembrance: During his historic visit to Angola, Biden visited a slavery memorial and emphasized remembrance in his speech, stating:

“As I said at the U.S.-African Leaders Summit that held in Washington two years — I held in Washington two years ago, ‘Our people lie at the heart of the profound connection that forever binds Africa and the United States together. We remember the stolen men and women and children who were brought to our shores in chains, subjected to unimaginable cruelty.’”

However, Biden missed the opportunity to commemorate Angola’s 50th anniversary of independence from Portugal and its exploitative colonization from the 1400s to 1975, which created a legacy of systemic oppression. He also failed to draw parallels between the eras of slavery and colonization. The fight for independence plunged Angola into a civil war that continues to drive refugees to flee.

Reconnection: Biden highlighted U.S.-Africa cultural ties, announcing expanded support for Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) students and emphasizing Angola’s role in the Kwanzaa Corridor and national heritage preservation.

Biden could expand this effort on the U.S. side by focusing on language and heritage recognition, such as supporting those fleeing Angola and other Central African and African Lusophone countries, such as Cape Verde (celebrating 50 years in 2025), who need language access and cultural integration support. Deepening recognition of September as National African Immigrant Heritage Month could amplify their contributions and acknowledge the shared history of struggle and resilience.

Revitalization: While Biden strongly supported the Gullah-Geechee people following the collapse of a critical bridge, he failed to connect the dots between this heritage and Angola. The Gullah-Geechee language and culture are deeply tied to Angolan influences, including linguistic connections like the word for peanuts. Acknowledging these ties would strengthen revitalization efforts by emphasizing the contributions of Angola and Angolans to the U.S.

Biden also recognized the historical migration of Angolans to Maine and Congolese and Cameroonians to Massachusetts, including the vibrant Cameroonian community in Lowell, Massachusetts, which has an official sister city relationship with Bamenda, Cameroon.

Call to Action

Now that the 118th Congress adjourns for the year, and Biden’s reported consideration to issue or extend protective status to 31 countries excludes these Central African countries, failure to act could leave thousands of Angolan, Congolese and Cameroonian refugees vulnerable to deportation, family separation, and persecution.

“President Biden’s trip to Angola was a historic moment, but it cannot be his only contribution to Central African lives,” said Bello. “We’ve seen victories in this campaign, but the fight is far from over. Congress must push Biden to extend protections before time runs out.”

The National Month-long Campaign

National Advocacy: Engagements at the National Press Club with speakers from the White House and national media tours, including appearances on Voice of America, Ebony McMorris’s platforms, and social media.

10-State Tour: Five states focusing on Angola’s American connections (IN, DE, NY, NC, DMV metro-area), with front-page coverage in towns named “Angola,” and five New England states (ME, MA, NH, VT, RI) highlighting large Congolese, Angolan, and Lusophone African communities.

Grassroots Mobilization: Teach-ins, rallies, and vigils designed to educate the public, press, and policymakers about the urgent need for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) extensions, designations, and humanitarian parole.

Bipartisan Government Engagement: Statements of support from local and federal officials, virtual and in-person congressional engagements, and participation from Biden’s Angola delegation members like Wanda Tucker, a descendent of African slavery who traced her family’s story from Virginia to the shores of present-day Angola.

Global Reach: Op-eds published in multiple languages, including French, to amplify the call for action.

Campaign Media Outputs

CAC has amplified its message and built momentum through impactful media, advocacy, and elected official engagement:

Op-Ed Advocacy: Several op-eds and letters authored by undocumented Central Africans have set the tone for advocacy efforts, prompting responses from elected officials across the United States.

Local government support: 

  • DC Councilmember Zachary Parker issued a statement supporting CAC’s 5Rs initiative.
  • A media statement by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) urging President Biden to extend its grant protections to Central African migrants from Angola and DRC and grant special humanitarian parole to Cameroonians.
  • National and Local Media Coverage:
  • Radio: On-air interview with Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey, Gullah-Geechee descendant, and Ghanaian-American Nicholas Austin.
  • Social Media: an Instagram live interview with Ebony McMorris, White House Correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks.

CAC hopes their advocacy will resonate in these final weeks of Biden’s presidency and secure meaningful protections for Central Africans before time runs out.

About the Cameroon American Council 

The Cameroon American Council is the premier African immigrant advocacy organization in the United States, dedicated to amplifying the voices of African communities and addressing critical immigration, cultural, and social issues.

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