United Nations Security Council Resolution 1237
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1237, adopted unanimously on May 7, 1999, after reaffirming Resolution 696
(1991) and all subsequent resolutions on Angola
, particularly resolutions 864
(1993), 1127
(1997), 1173
(1998) and 1229
(1999), the Council established expert panels to investigate violations of measures imposed against UNITA
.
In the preamble of the resolution, the Security Council reaffirmed that the primary cause of the crisis in Angola was due to the failure of UNITA, under the leadership of Jonas Savimbi
, to comply with its obligations under the Acordos de Paz, Lusaka Protocol
and relevant Security Council resolutions. There was concern about the impact on the population and the provision of military assistance, including mercenaries
, to UNITA. The Secretary-General Kofi Annan
had made recommendations regarding the improvement of sanctions against UNITA.
The resolution highlighted that peace and national reconciliation in Angola could only be achieved through a political settlement of the conflict and in this regard welcomed planned visits by the Chairman of the Committee established in Resolution 864 to the country to discuss to improve measures against UNITA. It condemned continued UNITA attacks against civilians in Huambo
, Kuito
and Malanje
.
Expert panels were then established for a period of six months to collect information relating to violations of measures against UNITA in connection with weapon
s, oil
, diamond
s and financial resources. The panels also had to identify parties violating the sanctions and recommend ways to end such violations. The panels were responsible for the Fowler Report
, that later gave rise to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/56). All countries were called to co-operate with the panel and provide access to information, witnesses, places in addition to guaranteeing its safety and granting immunity
under the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations
.
Furthermore, the Council was concerned at the delays in investigating the downing of two United Nations aircraft over UNITA-controlled territory on December 26, 1998 and January 2, 1999, as well as the crash of a plane carrying the Special Representative of the Secretary-General
in Côte d'Ivoire
on June 26, 1998. Finally, all countries were urged to co-operate towards humanitarian activities
in Angola.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
1237, adopted unanimously on May 7, 1999, after reaffirming Resolution 696
United Nations Security Council Resolution 696
United Nations Security Council Resolution 696, adopted unanimously on May 30, 1991, after noting the recent desire to sign the Bicesse Accords between the MPLA and UNITA in Angola, the recent withdrawal of all Cuban troops and considering a report by the Secretary-General, the Council approved...
(1991) and all subsequent resolutions on Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
, particularly resolutions 864
United Nations Security Council Resolution 864
United Nations Security Council Resolution 864, adopted unanimously on September 15, 1993, after reaffirming resolutions 696 , 747 , 785 , 793 , 804 , 811 , 823 , 834 and 851 , the Council noted the continuing situation in Angola and went on to condemn and place international sanctions on...
(1993), 1127
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1127
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1127, adopted unanimously on August 28, 1997, after reaffirming Resolution 696 and all subsequent resolutions on Angola, the Council, acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, imposed sanctions on UNITA following the lack of compliance in...
(1997), 1173
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1173
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1173, adopted unanimously on June 12, 1998, after reaffirming Resolution 696 and all subsequent resolutions on Angola, particularly Resolution 1127 , the Council announced its intention to impose further sanctions against UNITA for non-compliance, unless...
(1998) and 1229
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1229
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1229, adopted unanimously on February 26, 1999, after reaffirming Resolution 696 and all subsequent resolutions on Angola, particularly resolutions 864 , 1127 , 1173 , 1219 and 1221 , the Council dissolved the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola ...
(1999), the Council established expert panels to investigate violations of measures imposed against UNITA
UNITA
The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola is the second-largest political party in Angola. Founded in 1966, UNITA fought with the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola in the Angolan War for Independence and then against the MPLA in the ensuing civil war .The war was one...
.
In the preamble of the resolution, the Security Council reaffirmed that the primary cause of the crisis in Angola was due to the failure of UNITA, under the leadership of Jonas Savimbi
Jonas Savimbi
Jonas Malheiro Savimbi was an Angolan political leader. He founded and led UNITA, a movement that first waged a guerrilla war against Portuguese colonial rule, 1966–1974, then confronted the rival MPLA during the decolonization conflict, 1974/75, and after independence in 1975 fought the ruling...
, to comply with its obligations under the Acordos de Paz, Lusaka Protocol
Lusaka Protocol
The Lusaka Protocol, signed in Lusaka, Zambia on October 31, 1994, attempted to end the Angolan Civil War by integrating and disarming UNITA and national reconciliation. Both sides signed a ceasefire as part of the protocol on November 20.-Negotiation:...
and relevant Security Council resolutions. There was concern about the impact on the population and the provision of military assistance, including mercenaries
Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
, to UNITA. The Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
had made recommendations regarding the improvement of sanctions against UNITA.
The resolution highlighted that peace and national reconciliation in Angola could only be achieved through a political settlement of the conflict and in this regard welcomed planned visits by the Chairman of the Committee established in Resolution 864 to the country to discuss to improve measures against UNITA. It condemned continued UNITA attacks against civilians in Huambo
Huambo
Huambo, formerly Nova Lisboa , is the capital of Huambo province in Angola. The city is located about 220 km E from Benguela and 600 km SE from Luanda. The city's last known population count was 225,268...
, Kuito
Kuito
Kuito is a city located in central Angola. It is the administrative capital of Bié Province. Under Portuguese rule until 1975, it was called Silva Porto. Kuito was under siege in 1993/94 and again in 1998/99 by the rebel forces from UNITA...
and Malanje
Malanje
Malanje is the capital city of Malanje Province in Angola with a population of approximately 222,000. Nearby is the spectacular Calandula waterfalls, 85 km from the city. These falls are 105 metres high and their great width makes them the main tourist attraction in the region. It is a...
.
Expert panels were then established for a period of six months to collect information relating to violations of measures against UNITA in connection with weapon
Weapon
A weapon, arm, or armament is a tool or instrument used with the aim of causing damage or harm to living beings or artificial structures or systems...
s, oil
Oil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
, diamond
Diamond
In mineralogy, diamond is an allotrope of carbon, where the carbon atoms are arranged in a variation of the face-centered cubic crystal structure called a diamond lattice. Diamond is less stable than graphite, but the conversion rate from diamond to graphite is negligible at ambient conditions...
s and financial resources. The panels also had to identify parties violating the sanctions and recommend ways to end such violations. The panels were responsible for the Fowler Report
Fowler Report
The Fowler Report, released on March 14, 2000, is a United Nations report detailing how various companies, African and European governments, including that of Angola and the political wing of UNITA, violated the Lusaka Protocol as well as UN-imposed sanctions...
, that later gave rise to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/56). All countries were called to co-operate with the panel and provide access to information, witnesses, places in addition to guaranteeing its safety and granting immunity
Diplomatic immunity
Diplomatic immunity is a form of legal immunity and a policy held between governments that ensures that diplomats are given safe passage and are considered not susceptible to lawsuit or prosecution under the host country's laws...
under the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations
Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations
The Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, passed by the United Nations General Assembly on 13 February 1946 in New York, and sometimes referred to as the "New York Convention", defines and specifies numerous issues relating to the status of the United Nations, its...
.
Furthermore, the Council was concerned at the delays in investigating the downing of two United Nations aircraft over UNITA-controlled territory on December 26, 1998 and January 2, 1999, as well as the crash of a plane carrying the Special Representative of the Secretary-General
Special Representative of the Secretary-General
A Special Representative of the Secretary-General is a highly respected expert who has been appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to represent her/him in meetings with heads of state on critical human rights issues...
in Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire
The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast is a country in West Africa. It has an area of , and borders the countries Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana; its southern boundary is along the Gulf of Guinea. The country's population was 15,366,672 in 1998 and was estimated to be...
on June 26, 1998. Finally, all countries were urged to co-operate towards humanitarian activities
Humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises including natural disaster and man-made disaster. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity...
in Angola.
See also
- Angolan Civil WarAngolan Civil WarThe Angolan Civil War was a major civil conflict in the Southern African state of Angola, beginning in 1975 and continuing, with some interludes, until 2002. The war began immediately after Angola became independent from Portugal in November 1975. Prior to this, a decolonisation conflict had taken...
- Blood diamonds
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1201 to 1300 (1998 – 2000)
- United Nations Security Council Resolution 1295United Nations Security Council Resolution 1295United Nations Security Council Resolution 1295, adopted unanimously on April 18, 2000, after reaffirming Resolution 864 and all subsequent resolutions on Angola, particularly resolutions 1127 , 1173 and 1237 , the Council authorised a tightening of sanctions against UNITA and established a panel...