An Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) contingent will remain in the Republic of Congo (ROC) until the two respective governments decide on its withdrawal, Angolan government Radio Nacional de Angola reported in Luanda on Monday. The announcement was made during a joint press conference at the Luanda International Airport, following a meeting between Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos and Congolese President Denis Sassou-Nguesso. Speaking to reporters, Sassou-Nguesso said that “peace has been restored in [ROC] villages where war once prevailed. We have collected weapons [...] we have integrated the militia and other combatants into the armed forces. We have reinstated government administration throughout the country.” Dos Santos said that “when the right conditions are created in the Republic of Congo, the two governments will naturally decide on the withdrawal of those forces in accordance with a calendar.”
Angola and ROC also signed an accord providing for the standardisation of oil exploration along their joint border.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
Share this article
