Angola's Woes - Part XVI

Continued from Part XV

The Turbulent 90s

South Africa and Zaire provided logistical support to UNITA. Following discussions with Goulding, UN under-secretary-general for peacekeeping operations, Savimbi announced that he would abide by the election results,
although he maintained that the ballot had been fraudulent and expressed his willingness to participate in the second round of presidential elections, expected to take place in December 1992 or January 1993.

On 27 November, after direct talks between dos Santos and Savimbi, the two leaders issued a declaration reaffirming their commitment to the Estoril peace agreement, and committing themselves to the implementation of a cease-fire and a continuing UN presence in Angola. However, suddenly UNITA launched an offensive in the north, capturing Uíge and an air base at Negage. UNITA controlled two-thirds of Angola by the end of November. As a result of the talks by Jeffrey Davidow, US deputy assistant secretary of state for African affairs, with both leaders UNITA withdrew its forces from Uíge and Negage, but fighting intensified in late December, as the government launched an offensive. The offensive had some success, driving UNITA out of most major towns, but at the cost of heavy casualties, particularly in southern Angola. A fierce battle began for control of Huambo, the country's second largest city and traditionally a UNITA stronghold.