Strict implementation of Lusaka Protocol asked: UNAVEM III mandate extended.

The third United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III) was extended until 8 February 1996 by the Security Council, which urged the Angolan Government and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) to "adhere strictly to the revised timetable on the implementation of the Lusaka Protocol and make concerted efforts to accelerate that process".

Under resolution 1008 (1995) of 7 August, the Council expressed "concern at the slow pace", while at the same time noting progress made so far in implementing the 20 November 1994 Lusaka Protocol, which reaffirms the validity of the 31 May 1991 Peace Accords, aimed at ending 20 years of civil conflict in Angola. A comprehensive agreement, the Protocol includes sections on the acceptance of relevant legal instruments, military issues, police, national reconciliation, completion of the electoral process and a timetable for implementation.

The Council also asked the two parties, in cooperation with UNAVEM III, to finalize arrangements for establishing quartering areas, complete troop disengagement and expedite demining.

Without further delay

The Government and UNITA should adopt without further delay a "comprehensive and workable programme" for the formation of the new armed forces, and accelerate the exchange of prisoners and the repatriation of mercenaries, "with a view to reinforcing the freedom of movement of people throughout the country", the Council said. The two parties should also put an "immediate and definitive end" to the renewed laying of mines and to reported unauthorized troop movements.

The Council called on the Government and UNITA to provide UNAVEM III with the necessary information and ensure freedom of movement, including full access to all military facilities, to enable it to effectively carry out its mandate.

Deployment of UN infantry units should continue and accelerate as conditions improve, and an increase in the strength of the Mission's human rights unit was also authorized. The disarmament of the civilian population should also begin without further delay.

The Council also wanted safe passage of humanitarian supplies throughout the country, and encouraged generous contributions to the humanitarian effort and provision of mine clearance, bridging and road repair equipment and materials, and other supplies necessary for setting up the quartering areas.

In debate, Afonso Van Dunem "Mbinda" of Angola said that by creating UNAVEM III in February 1995, "a major boost" had been given to the peace process, which had helped curtail initial pessimism. In seeking to accelerate the process, agreement had been reached on the principle of full incorporation of UNITA forces into the Angolan armed forces. Although this would increase initial personnel to more than the number set in the Protocol, demobilization would bring the level down to the agreed 90,000, he said.

During a visit to Angola from 14 to 16 July, Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali said the arrival of the UN battalions "will not by itself be able to resolve all the problems connected with a 20-year-old conflict". Each party to the Lusaka Protocol had to fulfil its obligations "in good faith", he stressed.

On 30 September, Major-General Phillip Sibanda of Zimbabwe assumed the post of UNAVEM III Force Commander, replacing Maj.-Gen. Chris Garuba of Nigeria.

Distrust

diminishing

In a 17 July report (S/1995/588), the Secretary-General said that the progressive deployment of UN military and police observers and troops had helped to consolidate the cease-fire. Occasional military tensions and incidents notwithstanding, the Government and UNITA had been "adhering to the spirit of the Lusaka Protocol".

The "general atmosphere of mistrust" between the two parties was diminishing, the Secretary-General said. He welcomed the agreement on an accelerated timetable for the Protocol's implementation that would make up for past delays.

The Central Committee of the ruling Movimento Popular para a Libertacao de Angola (MPLA) on 16 June had offered UNITA one of two Vice-Presidential posts. The other would be held by a senior MPLA member.

The demining and rehabilitation of major routes was vital and would affect "almost every aspect of the peace process", including deployment of UN troops and the Protocol's implementation.

The humanitarian situation in Angola continued to improve, with varying degrees of progress in opening vital roads for humanitarian deliveries, the Secretary-General reported. Some joint initiatives in areas under both parties' control had been launched. There were severe deficiencies in health services, clothing and basic food items in certain regions.

The economic and social situation was "precarious", and the effects of the Angolan conflict had been profound, with up to 70 per cent of the basic health system destroyed; approximately 70,000 people mutilated by weapons or mines; and 1.2 million internally displaced persons, 300,000 refugees and 3.2 million more in need of emergency humanitarian assistance.

The country's debt/export ratio had reached 365 per cent; gross domestic product per capita had fallen to $410, half that of 1990; and the 1993 inflation rate had reached 1,838 per cent, while the rate for 1994, though lower, was still at 972 per cent.

The transition from the relief phase to an effective structure for rehabilitation and development would require considerable capacity-building. The World Bank and other UN agencies were developing plans to support Angola's reconstruction efforts.

A `formidable challenge'

In a 12 September report (A/50/424), Mr. Boutros-Ghali said the country's economic rehabilitation presented "a formidable challenge to the Angolan people, their leaders and the international community".

It was, he said, generally believed that the 1992-1994 conflict has been "more devastating for the country than all the previous years of war put together". As previously inaccessible areas were visited and assessed, the overall picture was one of "destitution, massive destruction of physical infrastructure and severe disruption of socio-economic activities". The civil conflict had resumed in late 1992, following UNITA's rejection of the results of the October elections, held in accordance with the 1991 Peace Accords.

Priority areas for future action, according to Mr. Boutros-Ghali, included resettlement of internally displaced persons and returnees, demobilization and reintegration of troops, demining, and community rehabilitation and national reconciliation.

On 7 August, the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs appealed for $102 million for a revised assistance programme for demobilization and social reintegration of former combatants. Complete demobilization was to take place in stages over a period of approximately two years.

On 29 June, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees appealed for $44 million for voluntary repatriation of the estimated 300,000 Angolan refugees over the next 30 months.

Meeting in Brussels on 25 and 26 September, donors pledged $993 million to consolidate the peace process and promote development in Angola.