Angola - Peacewatch - extension of mandate of UN Observer Mission in Angola

UN Chronicle, Summer, 1998 by Beatrice Grabish

On 29 April, the Security Council, acting for the second time in seven weeks on the peace process in Angola, unanimously adopted resolution 1164 (1998), by which it extended the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) until 30 June. It endorsed the Secretary-General's recommendation to complete the withdrawal of all military personnel, with the exception of one infantry company, the helicopter unit, signals and medical support units, and 90 military observers, no later than 1 July 1998. The Council also endorsed the deployment of 83 additional civilian police observers, as authorized in an earlier resolution.

The Council called on the Angolan Government and in particular the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) to complete all remaining obligations under the peace agreements and relevant Council resolutions, including the normalization of State administration throughout the national territory, as well as the disarmament of the civilian population. It strongly reiterated its demand that UNITA stop its pattern of delays and linkages and cooperate immediately and without conditions in completing the normalization of State administration, including in particular in Andulo and Bailundo.

In addition to considering the Secretary-General's report on the most recent developments in Angola, the Council had been briefed on 22 April by Ambassador Njuguna Mahugu of Kenya, in his capacity as Chairman of the Angola Sanctions Committee, on his recent trip to Angola, and the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Angola.

At a 22 April press conference at United Nations Headquarters, Mr. Mahugu and Mr. Beye reported that the political situation in Angola was "fairly satisfactory". They said, however, that the military condition in the central part of the country was disturbing, particularly in the provinces of Malange, Huambo and Benguela. It was difficult to say how many UNITA troops were under arms until MONUA completed its current assessment of the demilitarization process. In the meantime, about 80 per cent in contention - a total 269 out of the 345 areas - had been returned to the Angolan Government by UNITA. The majority of the remaining 20 per cent were remote areas which were not considered priorities by both parties. On the control of the flow of arms to UNITA, Mr. Mahugu said he had appealed to neighbouring countries to ensure stricter border control.

The Secretary-General's 16 April report on MONUA acknowledged that significant progress had been achieved in the peace process, but noted that the extension of State administration throughout the country had not been completed. Concern was expressed for the security situation in the country. The Secretary-General reiterated the need for the continued active involvement of the United Nations in Angola after the expiration of MONUA's mandate on 30 April. He, therefore, recommended its extension until 30 June, while noting that "the volatile situation in some areas of Angola strongly argues in favour of the retention in the country of a sufficient United Nations military force" even after that date.