Security Council condemns UNITA attacks

The UN Security Council has condemned recent UNITA attacks, especially the 5 May attack on Caxita and the attack on Tuesday on Golungo Alto in Kwanza Norte Province.

Acting United States Permanent Representative to the UN, James Cunningham and the Council’s current President said in a statement: “Council members urged UNITA to join the political process and called for an immediate release of children abducted from Caxito, as well as the immediate release of all children and civilians held by UNITA. They also expressed their intent to maintain sanctions.”

“Council members are concerned at the declining humanitarian situation in Angola, and the plight of nearly four million internally displaced persons (IDPs). Council members encouraged urgent steps aimed at providing secure and unimpeded access of humanitarian assistance to all IDPs and civilians in need, and especially children,” Cunningham said. “Council members welcomed the reaffirmation by the Government of Angola of its willingness to engage in dialogue with UNITA and urged the parties to engage in the search for a peaceful settlement. They also emphasised the importance of the Lusaka Protocol as the only agreed and viable framework for a settlement and expressed support for the work of civil and religious groups promoting dialogue.”