United Nations Security Council Resolution 1127
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1127, adopted unanimously on August 28, 1997, after reaffirming Resolution 696
(1991) and all subsequent resolutions on Angola
, the Council, acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter
, imposed sanctions on UNITA
following the lack of compliance in implementing peace agreements after the civil war
.
The Security Council recalled that it would take action against UNITA if it did not comply with its obligations under the Acordos de Paz, Lusaka Protocol
and relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 1118
(1997). It demanded that UNITA and the Government of Angola immediately complete the remaining aspects of the peace process and refrain from actions that would increase tension. UNITA was also required to demilitarise
its troops, complete the transformation of its radio station Vorgan into a non-partisan
broadcasting station, and extend the authority of the state to the areas controlled by it. It also had to immediately correct and complete information about the strength of its forces and provide the information to the Joint Commission.
Acting under Chapter VII, all countries were then asked to adopt the following measures:
prevent UNITA officials and their immediate families from entering their territory, except on occasions necessary for the functioning of the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation, the National Assembly
, or the Joint Commission; cancel all travel documents, visa
s and residence permits to UNITA officials and their immediate families; close all UNITA offices in their territory; ban flights from landing, departing or overflying their territory; ban the supply of aircraft parts; ban the provision of insurance to Angolan aircraft, with exceptions noted in Resolution 864
(1993).
The measures would also not apply in cases of medical emergencies or flights carrying humanitarian aid
. All countries were urged not to prevent travel by official delegations to UNITA headquarters except in humanitarian cases or for purposes of promoting the peace process. The travel sanctions would come into force from September 30, 1997 unless it was noted that UNITA was beginning to comply.
The Secretary-General Kofi Annan
was requested to report to the Council by October 20, 1997 and every 90 days on the compliance of UNITA with Security Council resolutions and peace agreements. If there was no compliance, the resolution noted that additional financial and trade restrictions would be considered.
The Council further demanded that Angola and UNITA continue to co-operate with the United Nations Mission in Angola
(MONUA) and cease restricting its activities and laying land mine
s. It supported the recommendation of the Secretary-General for the withdrawal of United Nations military units to be suspended until end of October 1997. Finally, it was thought that a summit meeting between the President of Angola
José Eduardo dos Santos
and the leader of UNITA Jonas Savimbi
could reduce the tension.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
1127, adopted unanimously on August 28, 1997, after reaffirming Resolution 696
United Nations Security Council Resolution 696
United Nations Security Council Resolution 696, adopted unanimously on May 30, 1991, after noting the recent desire to sign the Bicesse Accords between the MPLA and UNITA in Angola, the recent withdrawal of all Cuban troops and considering a report by the Secretary-General, the Council approved...
(1991) and all subsequent resolutions on Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
, the Council, acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter
Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter
Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter sets out the UN Security Council's powers to maintain peace. It allows the Council to "determine the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression" and to take military and nonmilitary action to "restore international peace...
, imposed sanctions on 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...
following the lack of compliance in implementing peace agreements after the 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...
.
The Security Council recalled that it would take action against UNITA if it did not comply with its obligations under the Acordos de Paz, Lusaka Protocol
Lusaka Protocol
The Lusaka Protocol, signed in Lusaka, Zambia on October 31, 1994, attempted to end the Angolan Civil War by integrating and disarming UNITA and national reconciliation. Both sides signed a ceasefire as part of the protocol on November 20.-Negotiation:...
and relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly 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...
(1997). It demanded that UNITA and the Government of Angola immediately complete the remaining aspects of the peace process and refrain from actions that would increase tension. UNITA was also required to demilitarise
Demilitarisation
Demilitarisation or demilitarization is the reduction of a nation's army, weapons, or military vehicles to an agreed minimum. Demilitarisation is usually the result of a peace treaty ending a war or a major conflict....
its troops, complete the transformation of its radio station Vorgan into a non-partisan
Partisan (political)
In politics, a partisan is a committed member of a political party. In multi-party systems, the term is widely understood to carry a negative connotation - referring to those who wholly support their party's policies and are perhaps even reluctant to acknowledge correctness on the part of their...
broadcasting station, and extend the authority of the state to the areas controlled by it. It also had to immediately correct and complete information about the strength of its forces and provide the information to the Joint Commission.
Acting under Chapter VII, all countries were then asked to adopt the following measures:
prevent UNITA officials and their immediate families from entering their territory, except on occasions necessary for the functioning of the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation, the National Assembly
National Assembly of Angola
The National Assembly is the legislative branch of the government of Angola.The National Assembly is a unicameral body, with 220 members: 130 members elected by proportional representation and 90 members elected by provincial districts. Theoretically, the Assembly sits for a four-year term...
, or the Joint Commission; cancel all travel documents, visa
Visa (document)
A visa is a document showing that a person is authorized to enter the territory for which it was issued, subject to permission of an immigration official at the time of actual entry. The authorization may be a document, but more commonly it is a stamp endorsed in the applicant's passport...
s and residence permits to UNITA officials and their immediate families; close all UNITA offices in their territory; ban flights from landing, departing or overflying their territory; ban the supply of aircraft parts; ban the provision of insurance to Angolan aircraft, with exceptions noted in Resolution 864
United Nations Security Council Resolution 864
United Nations Security Council Resolution 864, adopted unanimously on September 15, 1993, after reaffirming resolutions 696 , 747 , 785 , 793 , 804 , 811 , 823 , 834 and 851 , the Council noted the continuing situation in Angola and went on to condemn and place international sanctions on...
(1993).
The measures would also not apply in cases of medical emergencies or flights carrying humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises including natural disaster and man-made disaster. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity...
. All countries were urged not to prevent travel by official delegations to UNITA headquarters except in humanitarian cases or for purposes of promoting the peace process. The travel sanctions would come into force from September 30, 1997 unless it was noted that UNITA was beginning to comply.
The Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
was requested to report to the Council by October 20, 1997 and every 90 days on the compliance of UNITA with Security Council resolutions and peace agreements. If there was no compliance, the resolution noted that additional financial and trade restrictions would be considered.
The Council further demanded that Angola and UNITA continue to co-operate with the United Nations Mission in Angola
MONUA
The United Nations Observer Mission in 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...
(MONUA) and cease restricting its activities and laying land mine
Land mine
A land mine is usually a weight-triggered explosive device which is intended to damage a target—either human or inanimate—by means of a blast and/or fragment impact....
s. It supported the recommendation of the Secretary-General for the withdrawal of United Nations military units to be suspended until end of October 1997. Finally, it was thought that a summit meeting between the President of Angola
President of Angola
The President of the Republic of Angola is both head of state and head of government in Angola. While the President appoints a Prime Minister, executive authority usually belongs to the President....
José 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...
and the leader of UNITA Jonas Savimbi
Jonas Savimbi
Jonas Malheiro Savimbi was an Angolan political leader. He founded and led UNITA, a movement that first waged a guerrilla war against Portuguese colonial rule, 1966–1974, then confronted the rival MPLA during the decolonization conflict, 1974/75, and after independence in 1975 fought the ruling...
could reduce the tension.
See also
- Angolan Civil WarAngolan Civil WarThe 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...
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1101 to 1200 (1997 – 1998)
- United Nations Angola Verification Mission IUnited Nations Angola Verification Mission IThe United Nations Angola Verification Mission I was a peacekeeping mission that existed from January 1989 to June 1991 in Angola during the civil war...
- United Nations Angola Verification Mission IIUnited Nations Angola Verification Mission IIThe 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...
- United Nations Angola Verification Mission IIIUnited Nations Angola Verification Mission IIIThe 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....