Calls for peace, but fighting continues

While the international community has called for a rapid cessation of hostilities in Angola, on the ground the conflict between government forces and UNITA rebels has continued.

On Wednesday US President George Bush, after a meeting with his Angolan counterpart Jose Eduardo dos Santos in Washington, said "we agreed that all parties have an obligation to seize this moment to end the war", and that "Angolans deserve no less than peace".

The European Union (EU) presidency, Spain, said in a statement this week that in light of the recent death of UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi, "it is the strong conviction of the EU, that the end of the Angolan conflict can only be achieved through an effective engagement of all in peace and national reconciliation, on the basis of the Lusaka protocol".

While the EU "welcomes the positive signals from the government of Angola to date and looks forward to the early publication of the announced detailed programme leading to a definitive end of all the hostilities in Angola", some humanitarian officials on the ground believe Angola's suffering could continue for some time yet.

One aid worker told IRIN it is expected that the government, sensing it may finally have the upper hand militarily, will intensify their efforts to wipe-out UNITA. "I expect this will lead to more IDPs (internally displaced persons) and an unpredictable response from UNITA. The worst case scenario is that we will have a Somali situation with (UNITA splitting into) many factions."

Supporting the sentiments of the EU, the official said: "The best move for government now is to try and pull UNITA together, though I'm not sure they'll do that. The military solution is what the military wants, the heads of FAA (Angolan Army) are saying they want a military solution, lets hope wisdom prevails."

On Monday, dos Santos called for a ceasefire, shortly thereafter a UNITA attack killed several people and dashed hopes for an immediate peace.