SECRETARY-GENERAL VERY MUCH REGRETS IMPASSE IN ANGOLAN PEACE PROCESS AND RESUMPTION OF CONFLICT LEADING TO TERMINATION OF MONUA MANDATE
Press Release
SG/SM/6908
AFR/134
SECRETARY-GENERAL VERY MUCH REGRETS IMPASSE IN ANGOLAN PEACE PROCESS AND RESUMPTION OF CONFLICT LEADING TO TERMINATION OF MONUA MANDATE
19990226 The following statement was issued today by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:The Secretary-General very much regrets the impasse in the Angolan peace process and the resumption of conflict, which have led to the termination of the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) mandate today.
Since the conclusion of the Lusaka Protocol in November 1994, United Nations peacekeeping operations have contributed to four years of relative peace, the longest such period the people of Angola had ever enjoyed since its independence. The Secretary-General believes that the United Nations can be proud of its contribution, which gave the Angolan parties a unique opportunity to achieve peace and national reconciliation. It is tragic that this historic opportunity has not been seized by the Angolan parties.
With the steadily worsening security situation, and the inability of MONUA to carry out its mandate, it has become increasingly clear that, for the time being, the conditions for an effective United Nations peacekeeping role in Angola have ceased to exist. The United Nations will not, however, abandon the people of Angola and is prepared to continue and, if need be, increase its humanitarian assistance, human rights and development activities. The United Nations, of course, stands ready to offer its support again whenever the parties in conflict decide to seek a peaceful settlement. In the meantime, consultations will continue with the Government of Angola regarding the follow-up configuration of the United Nations presence in Angola, as required by Security Council resolution 1129 (1999) of today.
* *** *