Security report suggests UNITA still strong

Contrary to Angolan government claims that the rebel group UNITA is a spent force, a recent security report said the rebels are launching new offensives. The report, from a Johannesburg-based risk-assessment company, documents increased UNITA guerrilla activity during November in the Benguela, Bie, Huambo, Uige, Malange, Lunda and Moxico provinces. Particularly worrying, according to the report, was the shelling of Uige town, the capital of the northern province of the same name, on 10 November. The shelling resulted in infrastructure damage leading to the suspension of ongoing United Nation’s and NGO projects in the surrounding areas. The report said UNITA’s main military focus was to pose a real threat to the strategic oil installations at Soyo in the northern province of Zaire, and also to the strategic diamond producing areas of the Cuango River Valley and the Lundas. UNITA guerrilla elements are also increasing pressure on roads linking major cities and towns. November saw a number of attacks on villages and towns on the road linking the port city of Benguela with the strategic cities of Huambo and Kuito. According to the report, efforts are also being made to disrupt the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) logistical lines and to pressurise the FAA rear areas. UNITA has generally been using guerrilla-style tactics, concentrating on ambushes, hit-and-run attacks, standoff bombardments and mine-laying actions, the report noted. In order to counter these actions, the FAA is still engaged in an offensive against UNITA deployment areas in the eastern provinces of Moxico and Cuando Cubango and is still trying to gain final control of the border area with Zambia. The report gave details of a special meeting between the FAA chief of staff General Joao de Matos that took place at Catumbela, Benguela province, on 15 November. Most of the FAA front commanders were present at this meeting. Despite public statements by government officials regarding the FAA’s current strong military position, concern about UNITA’s current military profile and activities was reportedly expressed. General Sá Miranda, FAA Front Commander in Saurimo, capital of Lunda Sul Province, reportedly called for more logistical support and reinforcements. He told the meeting that that there had been a significant increase in UNITA activities in his area of responsibility and that he was hard pressed in securing the strategically important diamond producing areas. The report quoted the general as saying that there had been a significant increase in the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) arriving in Saurimo, creating serious problems, including food shortages. He added that UNITA was active in the areas northwest of Saurimo, especially in the area of Luangue, Camaxilo and Alto Chicapa. The Benguela Front Commander reported a new flood of IDP’s arriving in Balombo and Bocoio due to UNITA actions in the interior, a situation expected to worsen. The Huambo Front Commander also reported an increase in IDP’s and UNITA activities. He reported that there had been a marked increase in the attacks and ambushes on vehicles travelling in the area creating a general sense of uneasiness. During the meeting it was stated that delivery of recently procured equipment is imminent. The most significant would be the delivery of an unknown number of self-propelled howitzers procured from Belarus in September 2000. The introduction of this artillery system will be a first on the African continent. But the report doubts whether such equipment will be of much use against what has become a guerrilla army.