Security Council sees need for improved effectiveness of sanctions against Angolan rebel group

The Security Council has reaffirmed its intention to keep under close and ongoing monitoring the sanctions against the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), with a view to improving their effectiveness until the conditions in the relevant Security Council resolutions were met.

Following a three-hour open debate that concluded on Thursday evening, the Council President, Ambassador Patricia Durrant of Jamaica, read out a statement, in which the 15-member body called on Member States to cooperate fully with its committee and the monitoring mechanism on sanctions against UNITA.

The Council also expressed its support for the Angolan Government's efforts to implement the Lusaka Protocol through the Fund for Peace and National Reconciliation, and for the Government's intention to hold free and fair elections. The Council encouraged Angolan authorities to continue, in consultation with all the political parties and the full participation of the civil society, their efforts for peace, stability and national reconciliation. It expressed support for the Government's intention to hold free and fair elections when appropriate conditions are in place.

Welcoming the Government's efforts to improve the humanitarian situation and the resettlement of the displaced population, the Council called on the international community to continue to provide humanitarian assistance. It further encouraged the Government to work for economic reform and to ensure transparent and accountable governance to provide a positive climate for peace.

The Council underscored that Jonas Savimbi and the armed faction of UNITA were primarily responsible for the failure to implement the Lusaka Protocol and reaffirmed that the Lusaka Protocol was the only viable basis for a political settlement of the conflict.

At the outset of the debate, in which representatives of 22 countries took part, UN Under-Secretary-General Ibrahim Gambari, Special Adviser of the Secretary-General, briefed the Council on the latest developments. He said that since 17 October, the fighting in Angola had continued and in some cases, intensified. It had a devastating effect on the country's social situation, further impoverishing the people and contributing to the deteriorating humanitarian situation.