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Note: This document is from the archive of the Africa Policy E-Journal, published
by the Africa Policy Information Center (APIC) from 1995 to 2001 and by Africa Action
from 2001 to 2003. APIC was merged into Africa Action in 2001. Please note that many outdated links in this archived
document may not work.
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Angola: Angola Peace Monitor Issue no.6, 16 June 1995
Any links to other sites in this file from 1995 are not clickable,
given the difficulty in maintaining up-to-date links in old files.
However, we hope they may still provide leads for your research.
Angola: Angola Peace Monitor Issue no.6, 16 June 1995
Date Distributed (ymd): 950620
Published by ACTSA on behalf of the Angola Emergency Campaign
United Nations warns aid is not arriving
The United Nations has warned that the current improvement in
the humanitarian situation in Angola is being jeopardised by
a poor response to the 1995 UN Consolidated Inter-Agency
Appeal, and a shortfall in meeting the needs of the World Food
Programme (WFP).
According to figures provided by the Financial Tracking
Sub-Unit, Complex Emergency Support Unit, of the UN Department
of Humanitarian Affairs, as of 18 May only 3 percent of
non-food aid required under the appeal has been pledged or
received. Of a total of 77 non-food aid projects presented in
the Appeal, only 12 have received any funding.
These figures were confirmed by the UN Secretary-General, Dr
Boutros Boutros-Ghali in his fourth progress report to the
United Nations Security Council on 4 June 1995 (S/1995/458)#.
Dr Boutros- Ghali stated that "I regret to inform the Security
Council that, in the non-food sectors, the response to the
1995 United Nations humanitarian appeal has yielded only 3
percent of required assistance. Delays in the confirmation of
pledges announced at the donors' meeting in February 1995 may
put all humanitarian programmes in Angola at risk, with
dramatic consequences for the civilian population. I once
again urge the international community to support United
Nations agencies and NGOs in addressing the critical needs of
the Angolan people".
The UN Humanitarian Assistance Co-ordination Unit (UCAH) in
its report of 29 May - 4 June noted continued action to
improve the humanitarian situation nationwide. However, it
signalled a warning that the WFP is not due to receive any
further food until August.
It said that "WFP maize and beans requirements for the month
of June will be satisfied with the 1,000 metric tons of maize
and 20 metric tons of beans loaned by CARE International. The
search continues to cover requirements for July since WFP
stocks are not due in the country before August 1995. While
gradual temporary solutions are being sought to satisfy the
food requirements, the response to funding for transport of
non-food items remains critical".
The serious consequences of such a shortfall in relation to
the peace process was spelt out in the UN Secretary-General's
report, which stated that "overall food requirements are still
considerable. According to the preliminary findings of a
recent Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO) / WFP
crop assessment mission, the 1994/5 harvest is far below
normal expectations, the likely consequence being that
extensive food aid will still be required throughout 1995.
Based on the current pattern of food pledges and deliveries,
WFP may face a major disruption in supply as early as July.
This could jeopardise delivery to the quartering areas, where
the provision of food is a key element."
In his report the Secretary-General also draws attention to
the importance of humanitarian aid in sustaining and
consolidating peace. In this respect he states that "it is
distressing that, of the resources solicited in the 1995
humanitarian appeal for Angola, only 15 percent has been
received to date. I appeal to the international community to
replenish the humanitarian stocks for Angolans a matter of
urgency".
Note: in a reply to a Parliamentary Question by Robert Hughes
MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office, Tony Baldry MP, stated that Britain
have pledged 5 million pounds sterling in response to the 1995
UN appeal, of which 2.5 million pounds sterling has been
disbursed. Aid is supporting UN Agencies and NGOs with
assistance for seeds and tools, demining, primary health,
relief supplies and logistics.
Joint Commission meet in Luanda
Military incidents, including the death of 10 Angolan
Government soldiers, were discussed at the 17th Plenary
Session of the Joint Commission in Luanda on 15 June. The
Joint Commission reviewed the military situation since the
last meeting of the Joint Commission, which took place in
Negage on 2 June.
The Joint Commission had flown from Luanda to Uige, from where
they travelled by road to Negage. This was seen as a symbol of
the hope for improved overland access for humanitarian
purposes in Uige province.
In the most serious incident reported since then, 10
Government soldiers were killed and 11 others injured when the
vehicle they were travelling in set off a mine. This happened
in the eastern province of Moxico.
In a further incident on 8 June, two UNAVEM military observers
were shot on the road from Dundo to Lucapa, the capital of
Lunda Norte. A Kenyan soldier was seriously injured in the
attack. The attack was carried out by "five men in green
uniforms" who then set fire to the vehicle of the two
observers, a statement from UNAVEM III said.
The Joint Commission also decided to speed up the opening of
roads. Demining and humanitarian aid were also discussed.
Secretary-General reports further progress
In his fourth progress report to the United Nations Security
Council on 4 June 1995 (S/1995/458)#, the Secretary-General,
Dr Boutros Boutros-Ghali stated that "the implementation of
the Lusaka Protocol has entered a new and promising phase".
The head of the UN reported that during the period under
review (since his previous report of 3 May), the cease-fire
has generally held, with a decrease in the number of
violations and no major incidents. At the same time "both
parties continued to register complaints of small-scale
attacks, aggressive patrolling, raids and the harassment of
civilians, while in some areas, the Government reportedly
distributed arms to its civil defence personnel".
In addition, "despite considerable progress, the second phase
of disengagement, which covers Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul and
Moxico, has not been fully completed".
Demining plan finalised
One of the key issues raised by the United Nations as being a
barrier to the deployment of UNAVEM troops is the clearance of
mines from relevant areas.
In this context, the Secretary-General stated in his report of
4 June to the Security Council that a plan has been formalised
by the UN for mine clearance, and UNAVEM has strongly urged
the Angolan Government and UNITA to expedite mine clearance
throughout the country.
A major factor inhibiting demining projects is the lack of
response to the UN appeal for financial support. Out of an
estimated requirement of $12.4 million, only $1.28 million has
so far been pledged/donated.
Meanwhile as part of its undertakings under the Lusaka
Protocol, the Angolan Government has pledged $3 million for
mine clearing activities, including the purchase of necessary
equipment, and has offered 800 sappers to undertake the work.
According to a letter from the Angolan ambassador to the
United States, H.E Mr Jose Patricio, to a US congressional
committee, this is part of the Angolan Government's overall
support of $65 million for UNAVEM III in tax exemptions,
office facilities, port fees waivers and low cost fuel.
The UN Secretary-General in his report of 4 June called on UN
programmes and agencies in Angola, as well as NGOs, to "extend
all necessary cooperation to the Mission" in its endeavours.
This work is to be supplemented by the Central Mine Action
Training School which is to be established by the United
Nations.
Engineers to assist troops
The UN Secretary-General in his progress report of 4 June,
announced that he is to strengthen the military component of
UNAVEM by adding two specialised engineering companies, within
the authorised strength of 7,000 military personnel.
Their task will be to give engineering support to ensure that
UNAVEM troops are able to move freely.
At present the Angolan Government is undertaking a major
bridge and road repair programme (see Angola Peace Monitor
no.5).
Civilian police deployed
The Secretary-General of the UN has reported progress in the
deployment of civilian police observers as part of the UN's
role under the Lusaka Protocol agreed on 20 November 1994,
between the Angolan Government and UNITA.
The Lusaka Protocol envisages that the United Nations will
verify and monitor the activities of the Angolan National
Police, including the verification and monitoring of the
quartering of the Rapid Reaction Police.
As of 30 May, 210 civilian police observers from 19 countries
were deployed in Angola to carry out this role. They have been
deployed at 29 UNAVEM sites, including 6 regional
headquarters.
Dr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali stated on 4 June that they have
"received differing degrees of support from the Angolan
National Police in various parts of the country. Although
this cooperation has been encouraging in most areas, there is
still considerable room for improvement in others, as some
police authorities claim that they have not received
instructions to grant the UN unrestricted access to police
facilities or to provide it with all information in accordance
with the Lusaka Protocol. There has been little progress so
far in quartering the Government's Rapid Reaction Police,
which is due mainly to delays in making adequate barracks
available".
Revised timetable for the deployment of troops
The timetable for the deployment of infantry units under
UNAVEM III has been revised following the visit to Angola by
the Assistant Secretary-General for Planning and Support in he
Department of Peace-keeping Operations, Lieutenant-General
Manfred Eisele.
During his visit from 10 to 15 May, Lt. Gen. Eisele met with
the UN Special Representative, Alioune Blondin Beye,
representatives of the Angolan Government and UNITA.
Following his recommendations, the revised timetable is as
follows. The first infantry troops, 380 Uruguayans, arrived on
31 May, with a further 1,200 troops expected from Brazil
shortly.
The second batch of infantry troops is expected to arrive in
the first half of July, with a third batch arriving in the
second half of July. The further despatch of UN infantry will
depend on the progress made by the parties in opening up the
major access roads and in mine clearing.
An unforeseen complication arose when Pakistan withdrew their
offer to contribute an infantry battalion to UNAVEM.
At present the UN logistic battalion in Lobito/Catumbela and
Luanda has become fully operational and has undertaken
preparations for the establishment of logistic bases and the
deployment of follow-up units. In addition, an engineer
squadron, a signals unit, a field hospital and advance parties
of several other units have been deployed.
*********
The next issue of the Angola Peace Monitor will be in mid-
July. We are currently attempting to raise the necessary
funding to continue the Monitor until the end of the year.
Further details will be given in the July issue.
Published by Action for Southern Africa - ACTSA (on behalf of
the Angola Emergency Campaign), 28 Penton Street, London N1
9SA, tel +44 171 833 3133, fax +44 171 837 3001. The Angola
Peace Monitor is being produced fortnightly for an initial
period of three months. It is available by fax or post at a
cost of 5 pounds sterling inside Europe or 10 pounds sterling
elsewhere. This initiative was made possible with the
assistance of a grant from W.O.W Campaigns Ltd - the
campaigning associate of War on Want.
[Stop Press: News agencies report that the Angolan government
is offering Unita leader Jonas Savimbi one of two vice-
presidential posts to be established after amendments to the
Angolan constitution. Savimbi reserved comment in detail
until after receiving a formal offer, and a spokesperson for
the Angolan government said that the Unita leader would be
invited to take up the post, but only after the country has a
single and cohesive army. "We cannot accept a vice-president
who is also the leader of a parallel army," the spokesperson
added. -- APIC]
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primary objective is to widen the policy debate in the
United States around African issues and the U.S. role
in Africa, by concentrating on providing accessible
policy-relevant information and analysis usable by a
wide range of groups and individuals. APIC is
affiliated with the Washington Office on Africa (WOA),
a not-for-profit church, trade union and civil rights
group supported organization that works with Congress
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