Security Council members welcome advances in Angola peace process

Members of the United Nations Security Council today hailed the latest advances in the Angola peace process, praising the parties for their actions and voicing confidence in the country's future prospects.

In a statement to the press, the current President of the Council, Ambassador Wang Yingfan of China, welcomed the dissolution of the Joint Commission, which was chaired by the UN, noting that this development "marks the completion of the main tasks of the Angolan peace process."

He added that the Council would next review the sanctions it has imposed against the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) with a view to lifting them, as recommended by the Joint Commission.

"Council members pay tribute to the strong political will of both the Angolan Government and UNITA in achieving the goal of peace," the President said. The members also commended the efforts by the Secretary-General's Special Representative as well as the Troika of Observers to the Lusaka Protocol - Portugal, the Russian Federation and the United States - on "the important role played in this process."

Ambassador Wang voiced confidence that Angola's leaders and people "will show determination in fulfilling the aspirations of peace, national reconciliation, democracy, respect for human and civil rights and the deliverance of better economic and social conditions."

At the same time, he noted that numerous challenges remain in Angola, and said Council members "call on the international community to continue to assist the Angolan Government in its efforts to address the serious humanitarian situation in the country."