Angola's Woes - Part XI

Continued from Part X

The Chaotic 80s

In May 1989, eight African heads of state attended a conference in Luanda, at which President dos Santos presented a peace plan, which did not bear any fruit. In June 1989, however, dos Santos and Savimbi attended a further conference, held at Gbadolite, in Zaire, under the auspices of President Mobutu, at which 18 African leaders were present. Dos Santos agreed to hold direct negotiations with Savimbi, as a result of which a cease-fire was signed between UNITA and the Angolan government, with effect from midnight on 23 June. The presidents of the Congo Republic, Gabon and Zaire were to oversee a commission responsible for monitoring the implementation of the peace agreement. Within one week, each side accused the other of violating the ceasefire.

In late August, Savimbi announced a resumption of hostilities. In September 1989, Savimbi announced a series of counter-proposals, envisaging the creation of an African peacekeeping force to supervise a renewed cease-fire and the commencement of direct negotiations between UNITA and the government, with the objective of reaching a settlement, which could lay the foundation of a multi-party democracy in Angola. Indirect negotiations between Savimbi and the government, mediated by Mobutu, took place in mid-October. In late December dos Santos proposed an eight-point peace plan which envisaged some political reform but did not compromise on the issue of a one-party state; the plan was rejected by UNITA.

To be continued...