Sequele – The Angolan Migration and Foreigners Service (SME) increases its staff with the hiring of at least 3,120 new employees after the 2nd basic migration course, which ended on Saturday, in the municipality of Sequele, province of Icolo and Bengo.

The closing of the course took place at the Illegal Foreigners Detention Centre KM 32 (Icolo e Bengo), led by the minister of the Interior, Manuel Homem.

During the course that lasted six months, they learned first about military training, where they addressed topics such as close order, salute, military honours, self-defence, first aid, weapons and shooting.

Secondly, focusing on the specialty, they learned about institutional doctrine, migration law, inspection techniques, border control, fingerprinting and covert operational tactics.

On the occasion, the minister of the Interior, Manuel Homem, said that the closing of this edition of the course marks a high point in the celebration of the 49th anniversary of the Migration and Foreigners Service (SME), which is an extremely important body in the country's migration control.

“These 49 years of the SME should be an appropriate moment for recognition and reflection on the paths that follow in the continuity of the SME's commitments and mission”, said the minister.

He stressed that the current challenges involve technological advances in the SME, requiring the digitization of the process as well as passport processing, thus reducing user waiting time.

The governor encouraged the new employees to be dedicated and selfless in fulfilling their mission, stating that those who were not admitted at this stage should consider this process as a starting point for future opportunities in the next training courses.

Manuel Homem reminded them that currently there is an increase in migratory movements worldwide, as is the case in Angola, which is why there must be constant readiness to control the entry of foreigners into the country.

According to the minister, a complete and in-depth investigation is necessary, upon entry into the country, look to know the true reasons for migration, in order to prevent unknown intentions.

On behalf of the new migration authority group, Dalila Vicente affirmed their readiness, as well as their availability to show the best of what they learned anywhere in the national territory.

During the ceremony to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the SME and the closing of the 2nd basic migration course, there were moments of swearing the oath of allegiance and award of incentives to outstanding personnel.

The Angolan Migration and Foreigners Service (SME), was created on April 19, 1976 and is part of the Ministry of Interior with administrative autonomy and budgetary management. This body is responsible for implementing policies, legislative and regulatory measures related to the entry, transit, exit and control of the stay and activities of foreign citizens in national territory.

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