Expelled Congo diamond miners tell of terror

By David Lewis

Tembo, Congo - There were ups and downs, but for the most part, Papi Konde, a stocky 36-year-old Congolese, said he had enjoyed his eight years digging diamonds in the rich mines of northern of Angola.

He had no immigration papers or licence, but the $100 a month he paid in "taxes" kept the authorities off his back. He and his partner struck it lucky several times, bought two cars, owned a house and even stashed away some spare cash.

"Then suddenly my life turned to hell," Konde said, sheltering from the afternoon sun under a tree with hundreds of fellow illegal Congolese miners forced out of Angola over the past few days.

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How many weren't so lucky?