HEADQUARTERS: Luanda
DURATION: June 1991 to present
CURRENT STRENGTH: 50 military observers, 18 police observers, 11 military paramedics, and some 50 international and 70 local staff
FATALITIES: 4
SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND CHIEF OF MISSION: Mr. Alioune Blondin Beye (Mali)
CHIEF MILITARY OBSERVER: Major-General Chris Abutu Garuba (Nigeria)
BACKGROUND
The United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM I) was originally established by the Security Council on 20 December 1988 at the request of the Governments of Angola and Cuba. Its task was to verify the phased and total withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola in accordance with the timetable agreed between the two Governments. The withdrawal was completed by 25 May 1991 - more than one month before the scheduled date. On 6 June, the Secretary-General reported to the Council that UNAVEM I had carried out, fully and effectively, the mandate entrusted to it.
Meanwhile, on 17 May 1991, the Government of Angola requested the Secretary-General to ensure the participation of the United Nations in verifying the implementation of the Peace Accords for Angola ("Acordos de Paz"), initialled by the Angolan Government and the Uniao Nacional para a Independˆncia Total de Angola (UNITA) on 1 May 1991, and consequently to prolong UNAVEM's presence in Angola. In accordance with the Accords, the United Nations was to verify the arrangements agreed by the Angolan parties for the monitoring of the cease-fire and for the monitoring of the Angolan police during the cease- fire period. On 30 May, following the Secretary-General's recommendation, the Security Council adopted its resolution 696 (1991), entrusting a new mandate to UNAVEM (thereafter UNAVEM II) and establishing the Mission for a period of 17 months, until the general elections were held in Angola in the fall of 1992.
VERIFICATION OF CEASE-FIRE
The United Nations verification operation began as soon as the Angolan Peace Accords were formally signed on 31 May 1991. Advance parties of observers were deployed to the field on 2 June 1991. Subsequently, UNAVEM II teams of unarmed military observers were deployed at some 46 locations ("assembly areas") where the troops of the two sides were assembled during the cease-fire, as well as at several "critical points" (certain seaports, airports and border posts).
In essence, their task was to verify that joint monitoring groups, composed in equal numbers of representatives of the Angolan Government and of UNITA and responsible for monitoring on the spot the observance of the cease-fire, carried out their responsibilities. Working closely with these monitoring groups, - UNAVEM II verification teams provided support in the investigation and resolution of alleged violations of the cease-fire. They responded to requests for assistance and used their good offices to resolve problems within monitoring groups. In addition, UNAVEM II took the initiative in monitoring some aspects of the Accords, such as the regular counting of troops and weapons in the assembly areas, as well as monitoring of unassembled troops, demobilized troops, and troops selected to join the new Angolan Armed Forces. The neutrality of the Angolan police was to be verified by monitoring teams also composed of members designated by the Government of Angola and by UNITA. Their work was verified by UNAVEM II police observers. The monitoring teams and UNAVEM II observers were to visit police facilities, examine activities of the police and, if necessary, investigate alleged violations of political rights. The Angolan police monitoring teams were established in all 18 Angolan provinces only in June 1992, although UNAVEM II police observers were present in the designated areas by October 1991.
On many occasions the United Nations conveyed to the two sides suggestions to overcome difficulties related to the assembly and the demobilization of troops, proper custody of weapons and the monitoring of the police, as well as other matters relating to the peace process. At the request of the two parties, the United Nations launched an emergency food programme to relieve food shortages in the assembly areas.
ENLARGEMENT OF UNAVEM II'S MANDATE
The Peace Accords for Angola provided for "free and fair elections for a new Government" under "the supervision of international election observers". On 5 December 1991, the Secretary-General received two letters signed by the Minister for External Relations of Angola. One of the letters contained a request for United Nations technical assistance to help the Angolan Government to prepare for and conduct the forthcoming elections. The other letter contained a formal request to the Secretary-General to send United Nations observers to follow the Angolan electoral process until its completion in the fall of 1992. It was later announced that elections would be held on 29 and 30 September 1992.
An agreement on technical assistance was signed with the Angolan Government in January 1992. As regards United Nations observation of the first-ever elections in Angola, the Secretary-General informed the Security Council on 20 December 1991 that he intended to recommend that the Council authorize such a mission. On 6 February 1992, the Secretary-General informed the Council of his decision to appoint Miss Margaret Joan Anstee, a national of the United Kingdom, as his Special Representative to coordinate the current and projected activities of the United Nations in connection with the Angola Peace Accords, and as the Chief of UNAVEM II. On 3 March, following the Special Representative's visit to Angola, the Secretary-General submitted to the Council his report with recommendations concerning the United Nations role in observing the forthcoming elections. On 24 March, the Security Council, by its resolution 747 (1992), decided to enlarge UNAVEM II's mandate to include election observation in Angola.
OBSERVATION OF ELECTORAL PROCESS
In March 1992, the office of the Special Representative was established in Luanda, the capital of Angola, to coordinate all United Nations activities related to the Angolan peace process. In addition to its deployed military and police observers and civilian staff, UNAVEM II was enlarged to include an Electoral Division, headed by a Chief Electoral Officer. Offices of the Electoral Division were established in Luanda, in the six Angolan regions and in the capitals of all 18 provinces. Approximately 100 international staff and the requisite number of local staff were deployed in the regional and provincial electoral offices.
The United Nations role was to observe and verify the elections, not to organize them. The electoral process was organized and directed by the National Electoral Council (NEC), on which all legalized political parties in Angola were represented, and supported by technical assistance provided by experts and consultants from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The electoral process comprised four phases: the registration of voters from 20 May to 10 August; the electoral campaign from 29 August to 28 September; the presidential and legislative elections on 29 and 30 September; and the counting of the votes, investigation of complaints and announcement of the final results by the President of NEC on 17 October.
In his report to the Security Council dated 9 September 1992, the Secretary-General stated that the results of the registration exercise had surpassed expectations, with NEC reporting the registration of 4.86 million eligible voters, representing some 92 per cent of an estimated voting population of 5.3 million.
The electoral campaign was conducted without major violence, although there were reports of intimidation by some political parties, notably UNITA and the Movimento Popular para a Libertaüao de Angola (MPLA), as well as difficulties of access to certain areas, particularly those controlled by UNITA. The 18 political parties which had presented candidates campaigned actively. There were complaints, especially from the smaller parties, about the continued existence of the Government and UNITA armies, the slow progress in demobilization and in forming the new Angolan Armed Forces, and lack of access to the Government- controlled radio and television, whose alleged partiality was criticized.
UNAVEM II electoral observers monitored the campaign, contributed to civic education programmes and provided information on UNAVEM II's role. In addition, UNAVEM II and UNDP organized the air support operation, consisting of 45 helicopters and 15 fixed-wing aircraft, to overcome the logistical difficulties in reaching the more inaccessible polling stations. For the observation and verification of the voting on 29 and 30 September 1992, UNAVEM II deployed 400 electoral observers. Operating largely as two-person mobile teams, the observers covered all 18 provinces and most of the 164 municipalities, and visited about 4,000 of some 6,000 polling stations.
As regards its mandate in military matters, UNAVEM II continued to carry out its verification functions at the assembly areas up to and after the announced disbandment of the two former armies of FAPLA (Government) and FALA (UNITA) on 27 September 1992. As the elections drew near, demobilization formally accelerated. By 7 October, a total of 96,620 Government troops had been demobilized, representing 80 per cent of the projected figure. However, a much lower proportion of ex-FALA troops were demobilized.
United Nations police observers continued their verification of police neutrality, with the Angolan joint monitoring groups being almost entirely dependent on UNAVEM II for transport and communications. Little progress was made in developing a representative national police force. Soon after the elections, however, UNITA withdrew its cooperation.
SITUATION DETERIORATES
On 1 October 1992, the Secretary-General's Special Representative issued a statement in which she noted that the great majority of the registered voters had cast their ballots in peaceful and orderly conditions, despite organizational and logistical difficulties.
However, complaints were raised on 3 October and thereafter by UNITA and some other parties of widespread, massive and systematic irregularities and fraud during the elections. The Secretary-General urged the leader of UNITA, Mr. Jonas Savimbi, not to reject the results of the elections, pending investigation of UNITA's complaints, and emphasized the urgency of a meeting between him and President Jos, Eduardo dos Santos. The complaints were investigated by NEC, with the active assistance of UNAVEM II. Investigative commissions were sent to all 18 provinces, but found no conclusive evidence of systematic and massive fraud which would offset the overall results of the elections.
Meanwhile, a major violation of the Peace Accords occurred early in October, when 11 former UNITA generals, including the commander of UNITA's army, withdrew from the new, unified Angolan Armed Forces, in protest at what they called "fraud and cheating" in the elections.
In view of these developments, the Security Council sent to Angola, from 11 to 14 October, an ad hoc Commission, composed of the representatives of Cape Verde, Morocco, the Russian Federation and the United States, to support implementation of the Peace Accords. Notwithstanding all diplomatic efforts, the political and military situation in the country continued to deteriorate.
On 17 October 1992, the President of NEC announced the official election results. More than 91 per cent of those registered had voted. MPLA had won the legislative elections, with 53.74 per cent of the votes, against UNITA's 34.1 per cent. In the presidential elections, President dos Santos had received 49.57 per cent, against Mr. Savimbi's 40.07 per cent; since neither had achieved 50 per cent, the Electoral Law required a second round. The Secretary-General's Special Representative issued a statement on 17 October, saying "there was no conclusive evidence of major systematic or widespread fraud, or that the irregularities were of magnitude to have a significant effect on the results officially announced on 17 October". She emphasized that, "with all deficiencies taken into account, the elections held on 29 and 30 September 1992 can be considered to have been generally free and fair".
After the election results were announced, UNITA launched a nationwide operation to occupy municipalities by force and remove the Government's local administrative structures. On 27 October, the Secretary-General conveyed to the Security Council his serious concern at the rising tension. The Council once again called upon both parties to abide by all their commitments under the Peace Accords, in particular the confinement of their troops and collection of weapons, demobilization and the formation of the unified Angolan Armed Forces. It requested UNITA to respect the results of the elections and urged the leaders of the two parties to engage in immediate dialogue to enable the second round of the presidential elections to be held.
On 30 October, the Security Council, faced with further alarming reports of resumed hostilities in many parts of the country, adopted resolution 785 (1992), extending the existing mandate of UNAVEM II until 30 November 1992, and endorsing the statement by the Secretary-General's Special Representative on the elections having been generally free and fair.
Barely 23 hours later, on 31 October, heavy fighting broke out between the Government and UNITA forces, especially in Luanda. The Secretary-General's efforts, supported by a number of Member States, resulted in a cease-fire which came officially into effect on 2 November. UNAVEM II, which kept its military, police and civilian presence intact at 67 locations throughout the country, worked to maintain the cease-fire, patrolling trouble spots and using its good offices to foster dialogue between the parties.
DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS
Diplomatic efforts continued after the cease-fire to arrange a meeting between President dos Santos and Mr. Savimbi. Immediately after the cease-fire, the Government stipulated four conditions for resuming political dialogue between the two leaders: (a) commitment to uphold the cease-fire, pursue dialogue and renounce violence; (b) commitment to the principles of the Peace Accords; (c) acceptance of the results of the September 1992 legislative elections; and (d) greater United Nations involvement in the peace process and the second round of the presidential elections.
On 5 November 1992, the Secretary-General sent Mr. Marrack Goulding, then Under-Secretary-General for Peace-keeping Operations, to Angola to assist in implementing the cease-fire, put the peace process back on track and explore the future role of - UNAVEM II. After the meetings in Angola, the Secretary-General's envoys concluded that the desire for a larger United Nations involvement constituted the main common ground between the two sides. Also, as a result of a telephone conversation and an exchange of letters with Mr. Goulding, Mr. Savimbi confirmed, in a letter dated 12 November, that UNITA accepted the results of the legislative elections so as to permit the implementation of the peace process.
SECRETARY-GENERAL EVALUATES SITUATION
On 25 November 1992, the Secretary-General submitted to the Security Council a detailed report on the situation in Angola, and recommended extension of the mandate of UNAVEM II for a further two-month period, until 31 January 1993. In the report, the Secretary-General stated that although it was too soon to analyse the causes of the deteriorating situation in Angola, it was already clear that a "root cause" was the incomplete fulfilment of key provisions in the Peace Accords. Among those failings were the less than effective demobilization and storage of weapons; the delay in creating the unified Angolan Armed Forces, which only formally came into being two days before the elections; the failure to re-establish effective central administration in many parts of the country; and the delay in setting up a neutral police force. It had also been difficult to create in 16 months, after as many years of civil war, an atmosphere of mutual confidence, tolerance and respect.
Yet, the Secretary-General emphasized, "it is also too soon to despair of the Angolan peace process", noting the renewed commitment to the process by both parties. At the same time, he made it clear that he could not recommend an enlargement of UNAVEM II's mandate and strength unless both sides could convince him that they would be genuine in their adherence to, and fulfilment of, the Peace Accords, especially the key provisions relating to the dissolution of the existing armies and the creation of unified and non-partisan military and police forces.
On 30 November, the Security Council, by its resolution 793 (1992), extended UNAVEM II's mandate until 31 January 1993. The Council demanded, inter alia, that the Government of Angola and UNITA scrupulously observe the cease-fire, stop military confrontations and all offensive troop movements and create the conditions for completing the peace process in Angola. It appealed to the two parties to engage in a dialogue aimed at national reconciliation and at the participation of all parties in the democratic process, and to agree on a clear timetable for the fulfilment of their commitments under the Peace Accords.
Meanwhile, the efforts of the Secretary-General's Special Representative resulted in a meeting under UNAVEM II auspices on 26 November 1992 in the southern provincial capital of Namibe between senior delegations from the two sides, where they pledged themselves to full acceptance of the validity of the Peace Accords, to an effective cease-fire throughout the country and the immediate cessation of all offensive movements, and to the need for a larger United Nations involvement. However, almost immediately, this progress was followed by a set-back when, on 29 November, UNITA forces took the northern provincial capital of Uige and an important airbase nearby, Negage. Attempts to restore dialogue between the two sides, including the Secretary-General's personal invitation to President dos Santos and Mr. Savimbi to meet with him at an agreed location, failed.
THREE OPTIONS FOR UNAVEM II
On 8 January 1993, the Secretary-General reported that the situation in Angola had severely deteriorated since the beginning of the year. There were outbreaks of heavy fighting in at least 10 provincial capitals and other population centres, with each side blaming the other for initiating those hostilities. In his further report submitted to the Council on 21 January, the Secretary-General stated that "to all intents and purposes, Angola has returned to civil war, and is probably in an even worse situation than that which prevailed before the Peace Accords were signed in May 1991". The conflict engulfed towns and population centres in a way unprecedented during the previous 16 years, and there were "disturbing but unconfirmed reports" that new supplies of arms might be entering the country.
In addition, the Secretary-General stated, the widespread fighting and the absence of government administration in much of the countryside had led to widespread hunger and the flight of large numbers of people from the towns involved in the conflict. "An already serious humanitarian situation has become catastrophic in many areas", he pointed out, and the capacity of international humanitarian agencies to provide assistance had been severely disrupted.
According to the report, the crisis arising after the September 1992 elections thrust UNAVEM II into a central mediating role. However, with the outbreak of violent and widespread hostilities, and the total collapse of the joint monitoring mechanisms, - "UNAVEM II's original mandate has become less and less relevant". Even its mediating role had been increasingly limited by the deteriorating security situation. At the same time, UNAVEM II teams in the field faced mounting dangers, which became so extensive that 45 of UNAVEM's 67 locations had to be evacuated.
The Secretary-General outlined three options for the future of UNAVEM II. The first option was to maintain the mission at its existing strength; the second was to reduce UNAVEM II's provincial deployment to approximately six locations. The Secretary-General's preferred option was to confine UNAVEM II's deployment to the capital, Luanda, and to one or two outstations but with the capability to deploy to six provincial sites if needed, to support his Special Representative's peacemaking efforts. At the same time, the Council stressed its readiness to expand substantially the United Nations presence in Angola in the event of significant progress in the peace process.
On 29 January, the Security Council, by its resolution 804 (1993), extended the mandate of UNAVEM II for a period of three months, until 30 April 1993. It did so with the proviso that, as a provisional measure based on security considerations, the Secretary-General could concentrate UNAVEM II's deployment in Luanda and, at his discretion, in other provincial locations, with the levels of personnel and equipment he deemed appropriate to allow for the subsequent expeditious redeployment of UNAVEM II as soon as this became feasible. By other provisions of the resolution, the Council demanded, inter alia, that the two parties establish a cease-fire immediately, restore continued and meaningful dialogue and agree on a clear timetable for the full implementation of the Peace Accords. Subsequently, the Secretary-General decided to temporarily decrease the strength of the Mission.
FURTHER EFFORTS TO RESTORE PEACE
In January 1993, fighting intensified throughout the Angolan national territory between the Angolan Government and UNITA forces, particularly in the central provincial capital of Huambo. After repeated efforts by the Secretary-General's Special Representative to arrange a dialogue between the two sides, the Government and UNITA agreed to hold talks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to discuss the fulfilment of various prerequisites for the effective re-launching of the peace process in Angola.
During the first round of the Addis Ababa talks, which were held from 27 to 30 January 1993 under United Nations auspices and the chairmanship of the Secretary-General's Special Representative, the Government of Angola and UNITA reached agreement on a number of questions, but some key issues remained to be resolved before a cease-fire could be arranged. The parties accordingly agreed to meet again in Addis Ababa on 10 February, in order to resolve the outstanding questions. Later, at the request of UNITA, which indicated that its delegation was encountering logistical difficulties, and with the agreement of both sides, the date for the second meeting was postponed to 26 February 1993. Subsequently, the meeting in Addis Ababa had to be cancelled, due to the failure of UNITA to send its delegation there.
In the light of the steadily worsening situation and the collapse of the Addis Ababa negotiations, the Secretary-General asked his Special Representative to come to New York from 9 to 12 March 1993 for consultations. In her briefing to the Security Council, Miss Anstee outlined several options for UNAVEM II. Following informal consultations, the Security Council, by resolution 811 (1993) of 12 March, demanded an immediate cease-fire throughout the country. The Council also, inter alia, called on the two parties, particularly UNITA, to produce early evidence that real progress had been made towards implementing the Peace Accords, and invited the Secretary-General to seek to organize a meeting between the Government and UNITA at the highest possible level before 30 April 1993.
Consequently, the Secretary-General instructed Miss Anstee to consult with the Government and with UNITA on a date and venue for the resumption of direct talks under the auspices of the United Nations. As a result of these consultations, agreement was reached to meet in Abidjan on 12 April 1993 at the invitation of the Government of C"te d'Ivoire.
The Abidjan meeting began as scheduled, under the chairmanship of the Secretary-General's Special Representative, and lasted six weeks. Regrettably, while very nearly reaching success, it ended, on 21 May 1993, without full agreement on the text of what became known as the Protocol of Abidjan.
In his 25 May 1993 report to the Security Council, the Secretary-General described the breakdown of the Abidjan talks as "a major and tragic setback to the peace process". Having stated that it would be unthinkable for the United Nations to abandon Angola at this critical juncture, he recommended a further interim extension of UNAVEM II, on a reduced basis, and in a manner which would respond to the evolution of the military and political situation. Such a mission would provide good offices and mediation, with the goal of restoring a cease-fire and reinstating the peace process along the lines of the Peace Accords. At the same time, the Secretary-General stressed that with the humanitarian situation deteriorating daily, it would also be important during this interim period to devote increasing resources to coordination of humanitarian relief activities throughout Angola. To this end, a United Nations Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit, headed by a senior official with extensive operational experience, was set up in Luanda in late April 1993, under the overall authority of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General.
On 27 May 1993, the Secretary-General announced that he had agreed to accede to Ms. Anstee's wish to be released from her responsibilities. Subsequently, he appointed Mr. Alioune Blondin Beye, former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mali, as his Special Representative for Angola, effective 28 June.
On 1 June, the Security Council, by its resolution834 (1993), decided to extend UNAVEM II's mandate for a period of forty-five days until 15 July 1993 and stressed the importance of the functions of good offices and mediation by UNAVEM II and the Special Representative. The Council also welcomed the steps taken by the Secretary-General to strengthen United Nations humanitarian activities in Angola.
On 15 July 1993, the mandate of UNAVEM II was further extended by Security Council resolution 851 (1993) for a period of two months until 15 September. In recommending the extension, the Secretary-General noted that UNAVEM II had become an essential factor in a continuous United Nations effort to facilitate the resumption of negotiations, to support humanitarian activities in the country, as well as an indispensable channel for communication between the parties. By the same resolution, the Council reiterated its demand that UNITA accept unreservedly the results of the elections and abide fully by the Peace Accords.
SITUATION OF UNAVEM II
UNAVEM II continued to be deployed at five locations (Luanda, Lubango, Namibe, Benguela and Sumbe), with its military and police observers patrolling the areas, maintaining liaison with the respective local authorities, rendering support to humanitarian assistance operations, conducting investigations and other activities. On 15 September 1993, the Security Council, by resolution 864 (1993), further extended the existing mandate of UNAVEM II for a period of three months. It reiterated its readiness to consider expanding substantially the United Nations presence in Angola in the event of significant progress in the peace process.
SANCTIONS AGAINST UNITA IMPOSED
By the same resolution, the Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter, decided that all States should prevent the sale or supply of weapons, ammunition and military equipment as well as petroleum products to Angola other than through points of entry named by the Government of Angola. The embargo was to enter into force in 10 days unless a cease-fire was established. The Council also expressed its readiness to consider the imposition of further measures, including trade measures against UNITA and restrictions on the travel of UNITA personnel, unless by 1 November 1993 the Secretary-General reported that an effective cease-fire had been established and that agreement had been reached on the full implementation of the Peace Accords and relevant resolutions of the Security Council. It also decided to establish a committee to monitor the sanctions. The oil and arms embargo came into force at midnight on 25-26 September 1993.
In the meantime, the United Nations continued its efforts to facilitate the resumption of the peace process in consultation with the Angolan parties and interested countries, including, in particular, the observer States to the Peace Accords - Portugal, the Russian Federation and the United States. Following extensive consultations, the Government of Angola and UNITA began exploratory talks in Lusaka, Zambia, on 25 October 1993 under the auspices of the United Nations. These talks were made possible by positive steps taken by both sides, including UNITA's proclamation of a unilateral cease-fire, its acceptance of the general legal framework of the Peace Accords and its agreement to withdraw from the localities it had occupied following the resumption of the hostilities.
As requested by Security Council resolution 864 (1993), the Secretary- General reported back on 27 October. He stated that not enough progress had been made towards implementing the Peace Accords and relevant Council resolutions, and therefore recommended that the Council impose additional measures against UNITA. However, the Secretary-General said the Council should postpone such action until 1 December in view of the fact that the Angolan Government and UNITA were holding talks.
The Secretary-General recommended that UNAVEM II's authorized strength be increased from 50 to 175 military observers, from 18 to 60 police monitors, and from 11 to 14 military paramedics. Additional international and local staff would also be needed. These personnel would be deployed in the event of a breakthrough and would enhance the mission's ability to verify major developments on the ground and to provide good offices. He appealed to the Government of Angola and UNITA to make full use of the opportunity and to consolidate the progress made up to that point in the search for a solution to the conflict in Angola. He also appealed to the international community for further generous support to meet the growing humanitarian needs, noting that stocks of relief supplies were inadequate.
In his statement of 1 November 1993, the President of the Security Council affirmed, on behalf of the Council, complete support for the Secretary-General and his Special Representative in their efforts aimed at the earliest resolution of the Angolan crisis and encouraged the Secretary-General to carry out urgent contingency planning for the possible augmentation of the strength of the Mission. The Council expressed its readiness to impose further sanctions against UNITA at any time it observed that UNITA was not cooperating in good faith to implement the cease-fire, the Peace Accords and relevant Council resolutions. The Security Council, however, did not take any action on the Secretary-General's recommendation to increase the strength of the Mission.
PEACE TALKS BEGIN
The exploratory talks, held from 25 to 31 October 1993 in Lusaka, resulted in the acceptance by UNITA of the validity of the 1991 Peace Accords and the validity of the results of the legislative and presidential elections of 29 and 30 September 1992. UNITA also agreed to withdraw its troops from the localities occupied since the resumption of the hostilities and to return its troops to United Nations-monitored areas as a transitional measure pending full implementation of the Peace Accords.
Following the exploratory talks, the Secretary-General's Special Representative, in consultation with the representatives of the three observer States, set the date and venue for the talks. Accordingly, the Angolan peace talks began at Lusaka on 15 November 1993. By 11 December 1993, agreement was reached on the general and specific principles as well as on the modalities relating to all military issues on the agenda: the re-establishment of the cease-fire; the withdrawal, quartering and demilitarization of all UNITA military forces; the disarming of all civilians; and the completion of the formation of the Angolan Armed Forces.
On 14 December 1993, the Secretary-General submitted a report to the Security Council in which, in view of the encouraging results achieved at Lusaka under United Nations auspices, he recommended the further postponement of action to impose additional measures against UNITA. He also recommended that the mandate of UNAVEM II be extended for three months.
The Security Council, by its resolution 890 (1993) of 15 December, agreed with the Secretary-General's recommendations and called upon both parties to honour the commitments already made by them at the talks in Lusaka. It urged them to exercise the maximum restraint and to stop immediately all military actions, and to agree on the modalities for the establishment of an effective and sustainable cease-fire and to conclude a peaceful settlement as soon as possible.
POLITICAL PROCESS CONTINUES
Following the 11 December 1993 agreement on the military issues, the discussions moved to the political issues, including the questions of the police and national reconciliation. By 31 January 1994, after protracted negotiations, the parties reached an agreement on the general and specific principles and on the modalities relating to the police. On 17 February 1994, following several rounds of proximity talks, an agreement was also reached on a document containing a revised text of the general principles concerning the question of national reconciliation.
The Lusaka peace talks then focused on efforts to find ways to bridge the gap between the positions of the parties on the specific principles relating to the question of national reconciliation, which included the allocation of high-level government posts to UNITA.
It was expected that once agreement was reached on that issue, the remaining items on the agenda would be discussed. Those included the future mandate of the United Nations and the role of the observer States, the conclusion of the electoral process and the re-establishment of a national administration throughout the country. However, this proved to be difficult to resolve quickly.
FIGHTING PERSISTS
The military situation in Angola remained volatile. Fighting in many provinces of the country continued and intermittently intensified; several major cities remained under siege by one or the other side resulting in increased hardship for the civilian population and aggravating the already disastrous humanitarian situation.
In the statement made by the President of the Security Council on 10 February 1994, the Council deplored the great loss of life and destruction of property caused by the outbreak of fighting at several locations throughout Angola and stressed that the only way to achieve an effective, verifiable and sustainable cease- fire was for the Government and UNITA to conclude and sign a comprehensive peace agreement. It called upon the parties to honour their commitments, to exercise maximum restraint, to put an immediate halt to all offensive military actions and to commit themselves to the urgent conclusion of the Lusaka talks.
UNAVEM II MANDATE FURTHER EXTENDED
In a report submitted to the Security Council on 9 March 1994, the Secretary-General reviewed the negotiating process and the military and humanitarian situation in Angola. He again recommended that the Council extend UNAVEM II at its existing strength for an additional three months. The Secretary-General also recommended that the Council "authorize in principle" an increase in the operation's existing strength to its previous level of 350 military observers, 126 police observers and 14 military medical staff, with an appropriate number of international and local civilian staff. The additional personnel would be deployed when an overall settlement had been agreed or when the Secretary-General advised the Council that the successful conclusion of the Lusaka talks was imminent. In this connection, the Secretary-General stated that following such an agreement, it would be important for the United Nations to be able to deploy immediately military and police observers, at least in the most sensitive regions of the country. Failure to do so could jeopardize a settlement in its initial and most critical stages.
The Secretary-General also recommended that the Council continue adhering to the provisions of paragraph 14 of its resolution 890 (1993), in which it decided not to impose at present the additional measures against UNITA.
On 16 March 1994, the Security Council adopted its resolution 903 (1994), by which it decided to extend the mandate of UNAVEM II until 31 May 1994 and not to impose, at that time, additional measures against UNITA. The Council also declared its readiness, in principle, to consider promptly authorizing an increase in the strength of UNAVEM II to its previous level, following a report from the Secretary-General that the parties had reached an agreement. It invited the Secretary-General to proceed with contingency planning in that regard.
Demanding the end to all offensive military actions, the Council called upon both parties to honour commitments already made; and urged them to redouble their efforts to complete the remaining points on the agenda of the Lusaka talks, attain a sustainable cease-fire and conclude a peaceful settlement without "procrastination".
In addition, it called for full cooperation of all the parties to guarantee the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance and strongly appealed to the international community to respond generously to the 1994 revised inter-agency appeal for Angola.
PEACE TALKS STALLED
Efforts continued at all levels to make further progress at the Lusaka peace talks. The discussions focused after February 1994 on the specific principles and the modalities pertaining to the question of national reconciliation. Following consultations on proposals presented by the Secretary-General's Special Representative, the Government and UNITA agreed on 12 of the 18 specific principles. However, one of the six remaining principles - the question of UNITA's participation in the management of State affairs, including the crucial issue of the allocation of senior government post to UNITA - caused the talks to stall.
On 31 March 1994, the Secretary-General reported to the Security Council on the deadlock in the negotiating process. He was convinced that the remaining issues relating to national reconciliation could be resolved if approached with realism and the necessary political will. The Secretary-General urged the parties to the conflict to make every possible effort to show the flexibility needed to reach a comprehensive settlement.
The Secretary-General reiterated that it would be necessary to strengthen UNAVEM II as soon as a comprehensive peace agreement had been reached. He stressed that UNAVEM II would need adequate and timely financial resources in order to consolidate the agreement at its initial and most critical stage.
On 14 April 1994, the Security Council, in a letter from its President to the Secretary-General, expressed concern at continuing outbreaks of hostilities in Angola and reaffirmed the importance its members attached to the "prompt and successful" conclusion of the Lusaka peace talks. The Council also reaffirmed its readiness, depending on the progress achieved towards the full implementation of the Peace Accords and relevant resolutions of the Security Council, to consider further action in accordance with its previous resolutions.
CONTINUED FIGHTING
Reporting to the Council on 24 May 1994, the Secretary-General noted that agreement on the completion of the electoral process was reached between UNITA and the Government of Angola on 5 May 1994, while his Special Representative and the three observer States submitted to both parties new proposals aimed at breaking the impasse concerning the six remaining specific principles which had not yet been agreed upon.
While the intensity and scale of military activities decreased as of the second week of April, small-scale operations and guerilla-type activities, especially by UNITA, continued. On 19 April, Malange airport and the city itself were shelled while a World Food Programme (WFP) aircraft was unloading cargo, the Secretary-General noted, and humanitarian flights to the city were temporarily suspended. During May, the military situation remained tense throughout the country, as both the Government and UNITA continued to conduct military operations in several provinces. As a result of the continuing hostilities, emergency relief flights to some locations had been disrupted. UNAVEM II remained at its reduced strength, but while negotiations in Lusaka continued, the Secretariat and UNAVEM II had stepped up their contingency planning in anticipation of a comprehensive settlement.
The Secretary-General also urged Member States to confirm their contributions in response to the revised humanitarian assistance appeal, and accelerate the actual transfer of funds. United Nations organizations and non-governmental organizations continued to implement the emergency humanitarian assistance programme which was aimed at providing relief to all accessible locations. However, the humanitarian needs of recently accessed areas had to be urgently met, as the populations in those locations were on the verge of starvation. It was very likely that similar conditions would be found in other inaccessible areas.
Work had commenced on the development of a humanitarian programmme for future needs which would have to be addressed once a comprehensive peace settlement was reached. The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs visited Angola from 15 to 18 April, reviewed the ongoing humanitarian operations there and discussed the expected increase in humanitarian needs in the event a peace agreement was concluded.
In its resolution 922 (1994) of 31 May 1994, the Security Council decided to extend the mandate of UNAVEM II until 30 June 1994, and stressed that its future decision concerning Angola would take into account the extent to which the parties demonstrated their political will to achieve a lasting peace. It encouraged both parties to finalize outstanding details in the peace process without further procrastination.
The Security Council also decided not to impose additional measures against UNITA with regard to its resolution 864 (1994) in view of the direct negotiations taking place, but reiterated its readiness to consider further steps should the Secretary-General recommend additional measures or the review of those in effect.
PROGRESS IN LUSAKA TALKS
On 20 June 1994, the Secretary-General informed the Security Council that the Lusaka peace talks had recorded some positive developments, with agreement reached on all but one of the specific principles pertaining to the question of national reconciliation. The major problem remained UNITA's insistence on the post of Governor of Huambo. The Secretary-General suggested that the Council might wish not to impose further measures against UNITA if it gave an unequivocally positive response to the proposals put forward by UNAVEM II and the observer States on its participation in the management of State affairs; but if UNITA persisted in its refusal to accept in their entirety the proposals which the Government of Angola had already accepted, the Council could consider their implementation.
The military situation continued to be a cause for serious concern, the Secretary-General added. Fighting had escalated in Angola since his previous report, and this had caused further loss of life and damage to infrastructures, and had hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid to many parts of the country. Both the Government and UNITA appeared to be determined to achieve their military objectives. The Secretary- General recommended that the Security Council, in addition to urging an immediate suspension of hostilities, press the Government and UNITA to grant immediately security clearances and guarantees for relief deliveries to all locations.
In its resolution 932 (1994) of 30 June 1994, the Security Council extended the mandate of UNAVEM II until 30 September 1994. The Council also declared its readiness to impose additional measures against UNITA if by 31 July 1994 UNITA had not formally accepted the complete set of proposals on national reconciliation put forward by the Special Representative and the three observer States. It strongly deplored the intensification of offensive military actions throughout Angola, condemned acts that imperiled humanitarian relief efforts and urged both parties to grant immediate security clearances and guarantees for relief deliveries to all locations.
NATIONAL RECONCILIATION PLAN
The international community continued to press the Angolan parties to show realism and the necessary political will to conclude a comprehensive agreement which would bring about a just and lasting peace to Angola.
Despite intensive diplomatic efforts, including those by the Secretary-General's Special Representative, the three observer States and a number of African leaders, only limited progress was achieved at the peace talks in June and July. Although agreements were reached on all the specific principles pertaining to national reconciliation, the modalities for the implementation of those principles, particularly the question of UNITA's participation in the management of the affairs of state, could not be agreed.
In the statement made by the President of the Security Council on 12 August 1994, Council members expressed their impatience over the protracted nature of the negotiations and warned that the peace process could not be delayed indefinitely. The Council strongly urged UNITA to demonstrate its commitment to peace and to accept the complete set of proposals put forward by the Secretary-General's Special Representative and the representatives of the three observer States.
In the meantime, discussions on the modalities of national reconciliation were actively pursued in Lusaka and finally significant progress was achieved. On 5 September, the Special Representative obtained a letter from UNITA that conveyed its formal acceptance of the complete set of proposals on national reconciliation. Thus, the plan was accepted by both the Government and UNITA.
In view of those developments, members of the Security Council decided, in a presidential statement made on 9 September 1994, to postpone consideration of the imposition of additional measures against UNITA as set forth in resolution 864 (1993). The Council considered that the way was clear for an early conclusion of the negotiations in Lusaka towards a comprehensive agreement within the framework of the Peace Accords ("Acordos de Paz") and relevant Council resolutions.
Despite the above-mentioned progress in the peace talks, the military situation in Angola was marked by an increase in hostilities. Heavy fighting continued in Cabinda, Lunda Norte and Kwanza Sul provinces and, by the end of August, the military situation in the provinces of Huambo, Bi,, Kwando Kubango and Bengo had also deteriorated. In other parts of the country, the situation remained tense.
31 OCTOBER DEADLINE SET
In his 17 September report to the Security Council, the Secretary-General noted that the recent developments in the peace talks in Lusaka were encouraging, and gave rise to optimism that a comprehensive settlement to the tragic situation in Angola could be in sight. He said, however, that additional efforts and true statesmanship would be required from the leaders of both parties to solve several crucial and very sensitive issues. The Secretary-General recommended that the mandate of UNAVEM II be extended for a further short period, until 30 November 1994, to allow time for the talks to conclude, for follow-up meetings between the military representatives of the Government and UNITA, for the signing of the Lusaka protocols and for preparations for the expansion of UNAVEM.
The Security Council, by its resolution945 (1994) of 29 September 1994, decided to extend UNAVEM II's mandate until 31 October 1994. The Council, inter alia, urged the parties to complete their negotiations as soon as possible and to make every necessary effort to have the Lusaka Agreement formally signed before 31 October 1994, and declared that any further "obstruction or procrastination" in the peace process would be unacceptable.
AUTHORIZED STRENGTH RESTORED
On 20 October, the Secretary-General submitted to the Security Council his further report on the situation in Angola. The report also reflected the relevant findings of a special mission which the Secretary-General had sent to Angola in early September to assess the state of the United Nations efforts in the areas of peacemaking, peace-keeping and humanitarian activities. The mission was headed by former Under- Secretary-General James O.C. Jonah.
The Secretary-General reported that the peace talks were in their final phase. The parties were considering the last item on their agenda, namely, the future mandate of the United Nations and the role of the observer States, including the new mechanism for implementing the Peace Accords and the forthcoming Lusaka Protocol. Most of the sections of this agenda item were approved. In addition, some outstanding issues relating to the question of national reconciliation were discussed and agreed upon.
The Secretary-General strongly urged the Angolan parties to make every effort to conclude the peace talks by 31 October and to ensure that the subsequent military talks produced the earliest possible agreement on the important military questions that remained to be decided. In the expectation that an agreement would be concluded by 31 October, he recommended that the existing mandate of UNAVEM II be extended until 31 November 1994. He also suggested that the Council might wish to consider authorizing the restoration of UNAVEM II's strength to its previous level so as to enable the Mission to consolidate implementation of the peace agreement in its initial and most critical stage.
In the meantime, the Secretary-General reiterated his appeal to both the Government and UNITA to exercise the utmost restraint and to desist from all military operations which could undermine the progress achieved in Lusaka.
On 27 October, the Security Council, by its resolution 952 (1994), urged the parties to conclude immediately an agreement and thereafter to establish and respect fully an effective and sustainable cease-fire. The Council renewed the mandate of UNAVEM II until 8 December 1994, and authorized the restoration of the Mission's strength to its previous level of 350 military and 126 police observers, following a report by the Secretary-General that a peace agreement had been initialled and an effective cease-fire was in place. It also reaffirmed its readiness to consider promptly, once the Lusaka peace agreement had been formally signed, any recommendation from the Secretary-General for an expanded United Nations presence in Angola.
PEACE AGREEMENT INITIALLED
After further intensive negotiations in Lusaka, the heads of the Government and UNITA delegations initialled a comprehensive peace agreement on 31 October.
The Secretary-General, in a statement issued on the same day, commended both sides and stated that the talks between high-ranking military representatives which were to begin shortly must be brought quickly to a successful conclusion so that there was no delay in the formal signing of the Lusaka Protocol by mid- November.
He expressed hope that the necessary momentum had been created for the immediate establishment of an effective cease-fire and appealed to the Government of Angola and UNITA to take this decision without delay.
Despite the initialling of the agreement, however, the heavy fighting continued throughout Angola, with major offensives launched by Government armed forces in several important areas. As a result, they were able to retake many strategically important areas of the country, including all provincial capitals, some of which had been occupied by UNITA for many months.
On 4 November, the Security Council issued a statement in which it, while welcoming the initialling of the peace agreement, expressed grave concern over an intensification of military operations in Angola, in particular those towards Huambo, which put the lives of Angolan citizens at risk and jeopardized the successful completion of the peace process. The Council stressed once again that any obstruction to the peace process would be unacceptable, and urged the Government of Angola to exercise its authority to bring an immediate end to the military activities. It called upon the parties to honour their commitments, to exercise maximum restraint and responsibility, and to refrain from any action that could jeopardize the signing of the Protocol on 15 November 1994.
LUSAKA PROTOCOL SIGNED
However, because of the continued fighting, the talks between high-ranking military representatives were delayed and the Lusaka Protocol could not be signed as envisaged, on 15 November. On 16 November, after a meeting with the Special Representative and the three observer States in Lusaka, the Government of Angola and UNITA stated that they would sign the peace agreement on 20 November 1994. They also agreed to establish a truce as of 16 November, until the formal cease-fire provided for in the Protocol came into effect.
On 18 November, the Security Council expressed concern at allegations that the truce agreed to by the Government and UNITA was not being respected. The President of the Council sent identical messages to Angolan President Jos, Eduardo dos Santos and UNITA's President Jonas Savimbi, calling upon them to ensure that their forces adhered strictly to the terms of the truce, and urged them to sign the Protocol as had been agreed.
After further dramatic efforts, the Protocol was signed on 20 November in Lusaka by the Minister for External Relations of Angola, Mr. VenŸncio de Moura, and by the Secretary-General of UNITA and its chief negotiator at the Lusaka talks, Mr. Eug,nio Manuvakola, in the presence of President Jos, Eduardo dos Santos. The ceremony was witnessed by several heads of State, a number of Foreign Ministers and other dignitaries. Citing security concerns, Mr. Savimbi did not travel to the Zambian capital.
The Lusaka Protocol consists of eight annexes, each relating to a particular issue on the agenda of the peace talks. The annexes cover all legal, military and political issues agreed to at the talks. The main military issues concern the re-establishment of the cease-fire; the withdrawal, quartering and demilitarization of all UNITA military forces; the disarming of civilians; and the completion of the formation of the Forcas Armadas Angolanas (FAA). The major political issues include the police; the United Nations mandate and the role of the observers of the Peace Accords; the completion of the electoral process; and the question of national reconciliation.
On 21 November, the Security Council, in a statement by its President, welcomed the signing of the Lusaka Protocol and stated that the Protocol and the 1991 Peace Accords should lay the foundation for lasting peace in Angola. It emphasized that the parties must continue to demonstrate their commitment to peace through the full and timely implementation of the peace agreement. The Council noted with concern reports that the fighting in Angola was continuing, and reminded the parties that they must fully respect the cease- fire which was to go into effect on 22 November.
In the meantime, the Secretary-General issued a statement in which he said that the United Nations would be ready to start deploying UNAVEM II observers to former combat zones as soon as the cease-fire was effective and to begin implementation of provisions of resolution 952 (1994) concerning enlargement of the Mission.
The high-level military talks and the negotiations regarding the security arrangements for Mr. Savimbi and other senior UNITA leaders concluded at Lusaka on 23 November. At he same time, it was agreed that further talks would be held at Luanda on 29 November. However, the talks did not resume as scheduled since the UNITA delegation, citing logistical and transport problems, delayed its arrival at Luanda.
UNAVEM TEAMS TO COUNTRYSIDE
Even after the cease-fire had gone into effect on 22 November, the military situation in many parts of Angola remained tense, with some fighting reported between Government forces and UNITA. In order to enhance the verification capabilities of UNAVEM II and as additional confidence-building measure, the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Mr. Beye, decided to deploy to the countryside small teams of military and police personnel already serving with the Mission. Accordingly, on 27-29 November, UNAVEM II regional headquarters were established in the cities of Huambo, Luena, Menongue, Saurimo and Uige, in addition to one already existing in Lubango.
In the meantime, the Secretary-General dispatched a small group of specialists from the Secretariat to Angola to conduct a technical survey. On the basis of the team's proposals, he intended subsequently to present to the Security Council comprehensive recommendations for the overall role of the United Nations in the implementation of the Lusaka Protocol.1/
COMPOSITION OF UNAVEM II
Originally, UNAVEM II's authorized strength was 350 military observers and 90 police observers. There were also a civilian air unit and a medical unit, as well as some 87 international and 155 local civilian staff. In May 1992, the Secretary-General recommended, and the Security Council agreed, to increase the police strength of the Mission to 126 officers. Military and police observers were provided by Algeria, Argentina, Brazil,
Canada, Colombia, Congo, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, India, Ireland, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Senegal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, former Yugoslavia and Zimbabwe. In addition, during the polling, the Electoral Division fielded a total of 400 electoral observers. They were of some 90 nationalities and included staff members from the United Nations system and observers contributed by Member States. UNAVEM II's military and police observers also participated in the observation of the electoral process.
Following the outbreak of the post-election fighting, the strength of UNAVEM II was reduced to 50 military observers, 18 police observers and 11 military paramedics. The Mission also included some 50 international civilian staff and approximately 70 local staff.
In October 1994, in anticipation of a new peace agreement in Angola, the Security Council authorized the restoration of UNAVEM's strength to its previous level of 350 military and 126 police observers, after a report by the Secretary-General that a peace agreement had been initialled and an effective cease-fire was in place.
As of 30 November 1994, military and police personnel were contributed by the following countries:
COUNTRY, POLICE, TROOPS, OBSERVERS
Figures may vary from month to month due to rotation. "Troops" include any infantry, logistics, engineering, air, medical, mov-con, staff, etc.
FINANCIAL ASPECTS
The rough cost to the United Nations of UNAVEM II in 1994 was approximately $26.3 million. The costs of the operation are met by assessed contributions from United Nations Member States. As at 30 November 1994, total contributions outstanding to the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM I and UNAVEM II) for the period from the inception of the operation to 30 September 1994 amounted to approximately $13.9 million.
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN ANGOLA
From the outset of the renewed civil conflict in Angola, the United Nations agencies and programmes have made intensive efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to all Angolans in need. The United Nations Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit plays a major coordinating role in this process. On 21 May 1993, the United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs launched an inter-agency appeal for Angola, seeking some $226 million in emergency humanitarian assistance for 2 million Angolans in need. In July and August 1993, the situation in Angola worsened further despite all efforts by the Secretary-General, his Special Representative, as well as a series of diplomatic initiatives undertaken by the Organization of African Unity, several African leaders and the three observer States. According to the Secretary-General's 13 September 1993 report to the Security Council, some 3 million people, particularly the most vulnerable population groups - children, women and the elderly - suffered from the consequences of the conflict. It was estimated that during 1993 more than 1,000 persons died every day from the direct or indirect effects of the war.
In the coastal provinces and other areas considered secure, the relief programme initiated by the United Nations, in cooperation with national and international non-governmental organizations, brought food aid and other emergency assistance to large numbers of Angolans displaced by the war or affected by the country-wide economic decline. However, the implementation of relief operations in the interior of the country and in zones of active conflict, where the needs were particularly acute, encountered serious difficulties. It was only in October 1993, following intensive negotiations with the two parties on humanitarian access and a general decrease in the intensity of fighting country-wide, that relief flights were able to reach besieged cities such as Kuito and Huambo, whose populations had been cut off from international assistance for many months.
In many of these previously inaccessible communities, people were found to be starving to death, and the malnutrition rates in many cases were higher than 35 per cent. The United Nations started a massive programme of humanitarian assistance with WFP spearheading the effort by providing air transport of relief supplies for other United Nations agencies, such as the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Donor response to the May 1993 appeal improved considerably, and nearly 50 per cent of the $226 million target was reached by the end of January 1994.
Six months of relative stability and steady progress in relief efforts between November 1993 and April 1994 were followed by intensified conflict and a near standstill in humanitarian assistance to critical areas of the country. United Nations officials negotiated with both sides in the conflict in order to secure access to people in need. But between mid-May and mid-August the delivery of humanitarian relief dropped sharply, due to increased security risks and curtailment or suspension of relief flights.
The Secretary-General, in an addendum to his 20 June 1994 report to the Security Council on UNAVEM II, drew attention to the dramatic escalation in the number of serious violations of humanitarian law in Angola, the rapid deterioration in the humanitarian situation in places where access was being denied, and threats to the safety of relief workers. In resolution 932 (1994) of 30 June 1994, the Security Council deplored the worsening of the humanitarian situation, urged the parties to grant all necessary security guarantees and to refrain from actions endangering relief personnel or disrupting humanitarian assistance.
Between February and September 1994, the Department of Humanitarian Affairs twice revised and updated the consolidated inter-agency appeals to support humanitarian action in Angola by United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations. An appeal for the period February to June initially sought $179 million. By mid-August donors had pledged nearly 70 per cent of that amount, and had responded particularly well with commitments in the agricultural sector. Funds for basic non-food relief and survival items were not forthcoming, however, and the affected population receiving assistance was 10 per cent larger than the figure anticipated in February. In September, the Department of Humanitarian Affairs further updated the appeal, seeking $61 million to cover the estimated shortfall in funding for relief activities until the end of the year and estimated at $188 million the total requirements for humanitarian assistance in Angola for the period February to December 1994. Donor pledges towards this overall total remained at roughly 70 per cent of requirements at the end of November 1994.
Resources requested by WFP constituted the largest share of the inter-agency appeal covering February to December 1994, accounting for some $131 million. The cost of UNICEF humanitarian programmes was estimated at $15 million and that of UNHCR at $6 million. Other agencies whose activities were covered by the appeal were UNDP, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Volunteers and the Department of Humanitarian Affairs for coordination of assistance. Another important element of the appeals was the inclusion of humanitarian assistance programmes by a number of non-governmental organizations at a cost of $23.5 million.
NOTE
1/ In his progress report submitted to the Security Council on 4 December 1994, the Secretary-General reiterated that once his Special Representative had reported to him that the cease-fire was effective, he would proceed with the expansion of UNAVEM II to its previous level. In the meantime, the Secretary-General recommended that the mandate of UNAVEM II be extended for a further period, until 31 January 1995. It was his expectation that the cease-fire would solidify during this period and that the international community would be reassured of the commitment of the Angolan parties to the Lusaka process and to national reconciliation. At the same time, he would continue to prepare recommendations to the Council on the possible mandate for an expanded United Nations operation in Angola.
On 7 December, the Secretary-General reported to the Security Council that his Special Representative had informed him that the cease-fire was generally holding, despite some initial difficulties. Moreover, the Government and UNITA informed the Special Representative that they were reasonably satisfied with the status of the cease-fire and would like to see the planned enlargement of UNAVEM take place as soon as possible. The Secretary-General, therefore, intended to proceed with the restoration of the strength of UNAVEM to its previous level and the deployment of the mission throughout the country. In addition to existing tasks, the mission would monitor and verify all major elements of the Lusaka Protocol and provide good offices to the parties, including at the local level.
The Secretary-General's Special Representative, Mr. Beye, visited United Nations Headquarters early in December and briefed the members of the Security Council on the situation of the peace process in Angola.
On 8 December, the Security Council, by its resolution 966 (1994), decided to extend the mandate of UNAVEM II until 8 February 1995 to enable it to monitor the cease-fire established by the Protocol, and welcomed the Secretary-General's intention to restore UNAVEM II to its previous level, contingent on strict observance of an effective cease-fire and on guarantees of security for United Nations personnel. The Council noted the intention of the Secretary-General to submit a report on the possible mandate for a new United Nations operation in Angola, and welcomed the continued planning in this regard. Return to Text .
Note: Data effective 30 November 1994