MONUA
Encyclopedia
The United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA, Mission d'Observation des Nations Unies à l'Angola) was established by United Nations Security Council
Resolution 1118
of 30 June 1997.. Due to the collapse of the peace process in Angola, UN Secretary General recommended to the UN Security Council that MONUA's mandate not be renewed. The mission officially terminated in on 24 February 1999, per the terms of Resolution 1213
.
MONUA was the last peacekeeping mission in Angola, and was preceded by three other peacekeeping missions: UNAVEM I
, II
and III
.
The Angolan Civil War
raged between 1974 to 2002 and was the longest lasting conflict in Africa. Since 1988, Blue Helmets were present in Angola as observers to the conflict between the communist movement MPLA (Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola), to which president Jose Eduardo dos Santos
belongs, and the UNITA
(União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola), originally a Maoist movement.
At the beginning of the mission in 1997, the UN peacekeeping force consisted of approximately 3500 soldiers, observers and police constables, coming from 17 countries. This number was reduced to 400 in 1999, when the mission ended. Seventeen Blue Helmets died in the conflict.
Since MONUA's termination, UN peacekeeping forces are no longer present in Angola.
United Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
Resolution 1118
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1118
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1118, adopted unanimously on June 30, 1997, after reaffirming Resolution 696 and all subsequent resolutions on Angola, the Council established the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola to supersede the United Nations Angola Verification Mission III...
of 30 June 1997.. Due to the collapse of the peace process in Angola, UN Secretary General recommended to the UN Security Council that MONUA's mandate not be renewed. The mission officially terminated in on 24 February 1999, per the terms of Resolution 1213
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1213
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1213, adopted unanimously on December 3, 1998, after reaffirming Resolution 696 and all subsequent resolutions on Angola, including resolutions 846 , 1127 and 1173 , the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola for a...
.
MONUA was the last peacekeeping mission in Angola, and was preceded by three other peacekeeping missions: UNAVEM I
United Nations Angola Verification Mission I
The United Nations Angola Verification Mission I was a peacekeeping mission that existed from January 1989 to June 1991 in Angola during the civil war...
, II
United Nations Angola Verification Mission II
The United Nations Angola Verification Mission II , established May 1991 and lasting until February 1995, was the second United Nations peacekeeping mission, of a total of four, deployed to Angola during the course of the Angolan Civil War, the longest war in modern African history...
and III
United Nations Angola Verification Mission III
The United Nations Angola Verification Mission III is a peacekeeping mission that began operating in Angola in February 1995 during the civil war. It was established by the United Nations Security Council in Resolution 976....
.
The Angolan Civil War
Angolan Civil War
The Angolan Civil War was a major civil conflict in the Southern African state of Angola, beginning in 1975 and continuing, with some interludes, until 2002. The war began immediately after Angola became independent from Portugal in November 1975. Prior to this, a decolonisation conflict had taken...
raged between 1974 to 2002 and was the longest lasting conflict in Africa. Since 1988, Blue Helmets were present in Angola as observers to the conflict between the communist movement MPLA (Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola), to which president Jose Eduardo dos Santos
José Eduardo dos Santos
José Eduardo dos Santos is an Angolan politician who has been the second and current President of Angola since 1979. As President, José Eduardo dos Santos is also the commander in chief of the Angolan Armed Forces and president of the MPLA , the party that has been ruling Angola since...
belongs, and the UNITA
UNITA
The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola is the second-largest political party in Angola. Founded in 1966, UNITA fought with the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola in the Angolan War for Independence and then against the MPLA in the ensuing civil war .The war was one...
(União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola), originally a Maoist movement.
At the beginning of the mission in 1997, the UN peacekeeping force consisted of approximately 3500 soldiers, observers and police constables, coming from 17 countries. This number was reduced to 400 in 1999, when the mission ended. Seventeen Blue Helmets died in the conflict.
Since MONUA's termination, UN peacekeeping forces are no longer present in Angola.