United Nations Security Council Resolution 976
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
976, adopted unanimously on February 8, 1995, after reaffirming resolutions 696
(1991) and all subsequent resolutions on Angola
, the Council authorised the establishment of a new peacekeeping
mission in the country, the United Nations Angola Verification Mission III
(UNAVEM III) with an initial mandate ending on August 8, 1995.
The Lusaka Protocol
was signed on November 20, 1994 and its importance and implementation was stressed to the Government of Angola and UNITA
. The Council also welcomed that a ceasefire
had been in effect and was being observed. However, the Protocol's implementation was behind schedule and the leaders of both parties–José Eduardo dos Santos
and Jonas Savimbi
, were urged build political momentum in order to successfully the agreement. Angola had offered to contribute substantially to the cost of the United Nations peacekeeping operation in the country, and this was commended by the Security Council. Additionally, a delegation from the Organisation of African Unity had visited the country.
UNAVEM III was then established to help restore peace and promote national reconciliation. It had a maximum deployment of 7,000 troops, 350 military observers and 260 police observers. The latter two groups would be immediately deployed to monitor the ceasefire, while the infantry units would be deployed when there was a cessation of hostilities, a provision of all relevant military data and where UNITA's forces would be placed. The importance of a mine clearance
programme and establishment a United Nations radio station was stressed. The Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali
was requested to report monthly on the mandate of UNAVEM III and the implementation of the Lusaka Protocol. If the parties did not co-operate, the role of the United Nations in Angola would be reviewed; if there was co-operation, UNAVEM III would be terminated after the Lusaka Protocol was fully implemented, expected by February 1997.
The contributions of Member States, United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations
was welcomed, with the Council reaffirming that all countries that they were to observe the arms embargo
on UNITA in place since Resolution 864
(1993). A total ban on weapons was rejected by Brazil
and Russia
. In this regard, both parties were urged to cease acquisition of arms
and matériel
and instead devote resources for humanitarian needs. Angola was also asked to sign a Status of Forces Agreement
with the United Nations by March 20, 1995. Finally, all parties were required to ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement
of UNAVEM III and other personnel.
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"....
976, adopted unanimously on February 8, 1995, after reaffirming resolutions 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...
, the Council authorised the establishment of a new peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
mission in the country, the United Nations Angola Verification Mission III
United Nations Angola Verification Mission III
The United Nations Angola Verification Mission III is a peacekeeping mission that began operating in Angola in February 1995 during the civil war. It was established by the United Nations Security Council in Resolution 976....
(UNAVEM III) with an initial mandate ending on August 8, 1995.
The 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:...
was signed on November 20, 1994 and its importance and implementation was stressed to the Government of Angola and 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...
. The Council also welcomed that a ceasefire
Ceasefire
A ceasefire is a temporary stoppage of a war in which each side agrees with the other to suspend aggressive actions. Ceasefires may be declared as part of a formal treaty, but they have also been called as part of an informal understanding between opposing forces...
had been in effect and was being observed. However, the Protocol's implementation was behind schedule and the leaders of both parties–José Eduardo dos Santos
José Eduardo dos Santos
José Eduardo dos Santos is an Angolan politician who has been the second and current President of Angola since 1979. As President, José Eduardo dos Santos is also the commander in chief of the Angolan Armed Forces and president of the MPLA , the party that has been ruling Angola since...
and 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...
, were urged build political momentum in order to successfully the agreement. Angola had offered to contribute substantially to the cost of the United Nations peacekeeping operation in the country, and this was commended by the Security Council. Additionally, a delegation from the Organisation of African Unity had visited the country.
UNAVEM III was then established to help restore peace and promote national reconciliation. It had a maximum deployment of 7,000 troops, 350 military observers and 260 police observers. The latter two groups would be immediately deployed to monitor the ceasefire, while the infantry units would be deployed when there was a cessation of hostilities, a provision of all relevant military data and where UNITA's forces would be placed. The importance of a mine clearance
Demining
Demining or mine clearance is the process of removing either land mines, or naval mines, from an area, while minesweeping describes the act of detecting of mines. There are two distinct types of mine detection and removal: military and humanitarian.Minesweepers use many tools in order to accomplish...
programme and establishment a United Nations radio station was stressed. The Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Boutros Boutros-Ghali is an Egyptian politician and diplomat who was the sixth Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1992 to December 1996...
was requested to report monthly on the mandate of UNAVEM III and the implementation of the Lusaka Protocol. If the parties did not co-operate, the role of the United Nations in Angola would be reviewed; if there was co-operation, UNAVEM III would be terminated after the Lusaka Protocol was fully implemented, expected by February 1997.
The contributions of Member States, United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
was welcomed, with the Council reaffirming that all countries that they were to observe the arms embargo
Arms embargo
An arms embargo is an embargo that applies to weaponry. It may also include "dual use" items. An arms embargo may serve one or more purposes:# to signal disapproval of behavior by a certain actor,# to maintain neutral standing in an ongoing conflict, or...
on UNITA in place since Resolution 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). A total ban on weapons was rejected by Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. In this regard, both parties were urged to cease acquisition of arms
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...
and matériel
Materiel
Materiel is a term used in English to refer to the equipment and supplies in military and commercial supply chain management....
and instead devote resources for humanitarian needs. Angola was also asked to sign a Status of Forces Agreement
Status of Forces Agreement
A status of forces agreement is an agreement between a host country and a foreign nation stationing forces in that country. SOFAs are often included, along with other types of military agreements, as part of a comprehensive security arrangement...
with the United Nations by March 20, 1995. Finally, all parties were required to ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement
Freedom of movement
Freedom of movement, mobility rights or the right to travel is a human right concept that the constitutions of numerous states respect...
of UNAVEM III and other personnel.
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...
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 901 to 1000 (1994 – 1995)
- United Nations Angola Verification Mission IUnited Nations Angola Verification Mission IThe United Nations Angola Verification Mission I was a peacekeeping mission that existed from January 1989 to June 1991 in Angola during the civil war...
- United Nations Angola Verification Mission IIUnited Nations Angola Verification Mission IIThe United Nations Angola Verification Mission II , established May 1991 and lasting until February 1995, was the second United Nations peacekeeping mission, of a total of four, deployed to Angola during the course of the Angolan Civil War, the longest war in modern African history...