United Nations Security Council Resolution 1213
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1213, adopted unanimously on December 3, 1998, after reaffirming Resolution 696
(1991) and all subsequent resolutions on Angola
, including resolutions 846
(1993), 1127
(1997) and 1173
(1998), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) for a final time until February 26, 1999.
The Security Council condemned the failure of UNITA
to implement the remaining tasks of the Lusaka Protocol
including the demilitarisation
of its forces and the extension of state administration throughout the country. It was concerned that the leader of UNITA, Jonas Savimbi
, had not responded to proposals for the restoration of the peace process by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General
. There was a serious humanitarian impact brought about by the impasse in the peace process which had consequences on the security of the country.
The resolution reiterated that the primary cause of the political crisis in Angola was due to the failure of UNITA to comply with its obligations under various peace agreements and Security Council resolutions. Furthermore, it demanded that it complete the demilitarisation of its forces and withdraw from territories it occupied through military means; there could be no military solution to the conflict and both parties were urged to seek a political settlement. Additionally, UNITA was urged to co-operate with MONUA in the withdrawal of MONUA personnel from Andulo
and Bailundo
. Law enforcement had to be strengthened and human rights
respected.
The humanitarian situation continued to worsen, including the rise in the number of internally displaced persons, increased mine
laying. The Angolan government and particularly UNITA were urged to guarantee the safety of United Nations and humanitarian personnel and permit humanitarian aid
to be delivered to the affected population, cease mine laying activities and respect international humanitarian law
.
Finally, the Secretary-General Kofi Annan
was requested to report back to the Council no later January 15, 1999 on the future of MONUA and the United Nations presence in Angola, and on ways of improving the effectiveness of sanctions imposed against UNITA in previous resolutions.
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"....
1213, adopted unanimously on December 3, 1998, 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...
, including resolutions 846
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), 1127
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1127
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1127, adopted unanimously on August 28, 1997, after reaffirming Resolution 696 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...
(1997) and 1173
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1173
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1173, adopted unanimously on June 12, 1998, after reaffirming Resolution 696 and all subsequent resolutions on Angola, particularly Resolution 1127 , the Council announced its intention to impose further sanctions against UNITA for non-compliance, unless...
(1998), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) for a final time until February 26, 1999.
The Security Council condemned the failure of 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...
to implement the remaining tasks of the 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:...
including the demilitarisation
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....
of its forces and the extension of state administration throughout the country. It was concerned that 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...
, had not responded to proposals for the restoration of the peace process by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General
Special Representative of the Secretary-General
A Special Representative of the Secretary-General is a highly respected expert who has been appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to represent her/him in meetings with heads of state on critical human rights issues...
. There was a serious humanitarian impact brought about by the impasse in the peace process which had consequences on the security of the country.
The resolution reiterated that the primary cause of the political crisis in Angola was due to the failure of UNITA to comply with its obligations under various peace agreements and Security Council resolutions. Furthermore, it demanded that it complete the demilitarisation of its forces and withdraw from territories it occupied through military means; there could be no military solution to the conflict and both parties were urged to seek a political settlement. Additionally, UNITA was urged to co-operate with MONUA in the withdrawal of MONUA personnel from Andulo
Andulo
Andulo is a town and municipality in Bié Province in Angola.The municipality covers an area of 10, 316 km ², with about 319, 000 inhabitants. It is bordered to the north by the municipality of Mussende, to the east by the municipalities of Luquembo and Nharea, to the south by the municipalities of...
and Bailundo
Bailundo
Bailundo is a municipality and town in Huambo Province in the central highlands of Angola.In the 1990s, Bailundo was the location of the headquarters of UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi....
. Law enforcement had to be strengthened and human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
respected.
The humanitarian situation continued to worsen, including the rise in the number of internally displaced persons, increased 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....
laying. The Angolan government and particularly UNITA were urged to guarantee the safety of United Nations and humanitarian personnel and permit 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...
to be delivered to the affected population, cease mine laying activities and respect international humanitarian law
International humanitarian law
International humanitarian law , often referred to as the laws of war, the laws and customs of war or the law of armed conflict, is the legal corpus that comprises "the Geneva Conventions and the Hague Conventions, as well as subsequent treaties, case law, and customary international law." It...
.
Finally, 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 back to the Council no later January 15, 1999 on the future of MONUA and the United Nations presence in Angola, and on ways of improving the effectiveness of sanctions imposed against UNITA in previous resolutions.
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 1201 to 1300 (1998 – 2000)
- 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....