UN Special Adviser calls for peace

The UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Africa has urged all parties in Angola to re-engage with the international community in a search for a peaceful solution to 25 years of civil war. Under-Secretary-General Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari, in an introductory statement on Thursday to a report by the Secretary-General on the new UN Office in Angola (UNOA), said the conflict between the government and UNITA rebels has had devastating humanitarian consequences. “There is a need to stop the fighting, everywhere in Angola. In this regard, the primary responsibility belongs to all Angolans,” Gambari said. “However, their efforts deserve appropriate support from the international community. The starting point is the need to convince ourselves that military force in itself is not sufficient to bring about durable peace.” Gambari welcomed a statement by President Jose Eduardo dos Santos last month in which he suggested even UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi could be pardoned if the rebels laid down their weapons and joined in a peace dialogue. The Special Adviser, while affirming that UNITA bore the brunt of the blame for the collapse of the 1994 Lusaka peace process, said “there is a need to adopt a spirit of reconciliation of all Angolans”. He pointed to the emerging role of Angolan civil society, especially the church, in bringing about reconciliation. Gambari added they can also contribute to issues of human rights, particularly in areas formerly under the control of UNITA “where there are reports of serious human rights violations”. The Nigerian diplomat said the head of the new UNOA has been selected and his formal appointment would be announced shortly. The mandate of the UNOA is focussed on humanitarian issues and capacity building in human rights. However, Gambari said the new head of UNOA and the UN system in general would work with the government “and other interested parties to seek ways to support current efforts aimed at achieving peace in Angola in the context of the Lusaka Protocol”.