The encampment process continued in 1992. On January 3, reports suggested that the Angolan government and UNITA rebels had completed the confinement process in Moxico province.¹ The UN Secretary-General reported that by February 26, 1992, 93% of UNITA troops had been effectively assembled.² However, by August 1, 1992, only 37% of government troops and 85% of UNITA troops had been confined.³ 

Although all forces had not been encamped, the demobilization process of assembled troops began in 1992. The official demobilization of government and UNITA troops began on March 31, 1992,⁴ and ceremonies on April 1 officially demobilized 3,000 troops from two assembly points in the Moxico Province.⁵ UNITA demobilized 414 soldiers in Uige Province on July 17, 1992.⁶ However, the demobilization process progressed slowly, and the UN reported that by September 2, 1992, only 61,994 troops, or 41% of both government and UNITA armies, had been demobilized.⁷ Of the demobilized troops, 54,737, or 45%, were government forces, while 7,257, or 24%, were rebel forces.⁸ The UN Secretary-General reported that demobilization accelerated as the September 29 election approached.⁹ On September 28, the government and UNITA leadership formally disbanded all troops not integrated into the Angolan Armed Forces.¹⁰ By October 7, 1992, 96,620 government troops were effectively demobilized, representing approximately 80% of total government forces.¹¹ By contrast, UNAVEM reported that a much lower proportion of UNITA troops had been effectively demobilized, and those that had completed the demobilization procedure became re-mobilized after the election.¹²

¹ “Government, UNITA troop encampment completed in eastern Angola,” Xinhua General News Service, January 3, 1992.
² “Further Report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II),” UN Security Council, March 3, 1992.
³ “Angola Unravels: The Rise and Fall of the Lusaka Peace Process, Human Rights Watch, nd.
⁴ “Angola starts experimental demobilization,” Xinhua General News Service, March 31, 1991.
⁵ “Angola government and UNITA representatives to CCPM comment on demobilization,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, April 2, 1992.
⁶  “Angola UNITA reportedly demobilizes 414 soldiers in Uige Province,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, July 20, 1992.
⁷ “Further Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II),” UN Security Council, September 9, 1992.
⁸ “Further Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II),” UN Security Council, September 9, 1992.
⁹ “Further Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II),” UN Security Council, November 25, 1992.
¹⁰ “Angola disbands rival troops just before general elections,” Xinhua General News Service, September 28, 1992.
¹¹ “Further Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II),” UN Security Council, November 25, 1992.
¹² “Further Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II),” UN Security Council, November 25, 1992.

The Bicesse Accord stipulated the demobilization of all UNITA forces not incorporated into the Angolan armed forces. UNITA troops were scheduled to be encamped, disarmed, and finally discharged from the UNITA army or integrated into the Angolan military. The encampment process began in 1991 with the establishment of the Commission for the Formation of the Armed Forces (CCFA), which oversaw the formation of barracks to hold troops in preparation for disarmament and demobilization. The functional regulations for the Commission were formally approved on June 27,¹ and the CCFA then began inspecting barracks in preparation for troop assembly.² The UN Secretary-General reported that as of October 22, 1991, only 95,634 troops (less than 60% of total forces) were contained.³ By this date, 68,666 of the government’s total 115,640 forces had assembled, and 26,968 of UNITA’s total 49,800 forces had assembled.⁴ No official discharge occurred in 1991.⁵

¹ “Angola’s CCPM approves functional regulations,” Xinhua General News Service, June 27, 1991.
² “Angola joint commission meets to discuss control measures,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, August 8, 1991.
³ “Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Angola Verification Mission II (UNAVEM II) (For the period 31 May 1991-25 October 1991),” UN Security Council, October 31, 1991.
⁴ “Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Angola Verification Mission II (UNAVEM II) (For the period 31 May 1991-25 October 1991),” UN Security Council, October 31, 1991.
⁵ “Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Angola Verification Mission II (UNAVEM II) (For the period 31 May 1991-25 October 1991),” UN Security Council, October 31, 1991.

In early 1992, the cease-fire was largely respected by both parties, although there was the occasional allegation of cease-fire violation. For example, in January, the government accused rebels in Bengo Province of offensive movement.¹ In April, Angola alleged UNITA movement along the Namibian border,² and of assembling a secret army.³ In May, UNITA reported that the government was conducting military operations.⁴ The UN Secretary-General reported that the security situation began to deteriorate throughout July and August, with violent confrontations erupting in Malange, Huambo, Saurimo, Benguela, and Bié.⁵ 

Large-scale violence erupted in Angola following the election results. Confirmed offensive movement by UNITA began shortly after the official announcement of election results on October 17.⁶ On October 24, reports indicated that UNITA had deployed 7,000 troops in Luanda.⁷ By the end of October, hostilities had resumed in Luanda, Huambo, and Lobito.⁸ In October, 1,213 battle-related deaths occurred in Luanda.⁹ The UN brokered a cease-fire between the government and UNITA on November 1, which came into effect on November 2.¹⁰ The cease-fire was short-lived, and hostilities continued throughout November and December, although fighting declined significantly after November 3.¹¹ Meanwhile, UNITA continued offensive movement through the end of the year.¹² The UN Secretary-General reported that by November 23, 1992, 57 of Angola’s 164 municipalities were under UNITA control.¹³ By December, media sources reported that UNITA troops occupied approximately 75% of Angolan territory.¹⁴ UCDP reports that at least 2,321 battle-related fatalities occurred in 1992.¹⁵

¹ “UNITA re-occupy three district capitals,” Xinhua General News Service, January 8, 1992.
² “Angolan diplomat says UNITA moving troops along Namibian border,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, April 13, 1992.
³ Angolan government reportedly accuses UNITA of assembling secret army,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, April 22, 1992.
⁴ “Angola UNITA radio reports alleged MPLA arms caches and military operations,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, May 15, 1992.
⁵ “Further Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II),” UN Security Council, September 9, 1992.
⁶  “Further Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II),” UN Security Council, November 25, 1992.
⁷ “Angola attempt to control military situation; UNITA reportedly surrounds Luanda,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, October 26, 1992.
⁸ “Angola UNITA captures part of Huambo; surrounds Lobito; attacks Luanda airport,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, October 31, 1992.
⁹ “UCDP Conflict Encyclopedia,” Uppsala Conflict Data Program – Uppsala University Department of Peace and Conflict Research.
¹⁰ “U.N. brokers cease-fire in Angola,” Xinhua General News Service, November 1, 1992.
¹¹ “Further Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II),” UN Security Council, November 25, 1992.
¹² “Further Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II),” UN Security Council, January 21, 1993.
¹³ “Further Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II),” UN Security Council, November 25, 1992.
¹⁴ “UNITA joins new government, parliament, national army,” Xinhua General News Service, December 10, 1992.
¹⁵ “UCDP Conflict Encyclopedia,” Uppsala Conflict Data Program – Uppsala University Department of Peace and Conflict Research.

The Bicesse Accord stipulated a cease-fire between the Angolan government and UNITA rebels, prohibiting hostile propaganda, all armed air, land, or sea attacks, sabotage, and all offensive movement of troops. 

The government and UNITA leadership formally accepted the cease-fire beginning on May 15 at midnight.¹ However, occasional allegations of cease-fire violations occurred throughout 1991. For example, from May 14-15, the government alleged that UNITA troops continued offensive movement in Bengo Province, Piri, and Qipaxe.² On August 18, Angolan forces and UNITA rebels clashed briefly in Negola.³ In August, UNITA reported that the Angolan government was importing lethal materials.⁴ In November, UNITA accused the government of transporting weapons.⁵ However, no official battle-related deaths were reported in 1991 after the parties signed the agreement.⁶ UN monitors reported no serious cease-fire violations in 1991.⁷

¹ “Angolan cease-fire date reportedly accepted by government and UNITA,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, May 17, 1991.
² “Angolan government says UNITA violating cease-fire accord,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, July 26, 1991.
³ “Angola MPLA troops reportedly take UNITA-controlled location,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, August 23, 1991.
⁴ “Angola government official denies war materiel received,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, August 29, 1991.
⁵ “UNITA accuses Angolan government of transferring arms,” Xinhua General News Service, November 21, 1991.
⁶  “UCDP Conflict Encyclopedia,” Uppsala Conflict Data Program – Uppsala University Department of Peace and Conflict Research.
⁷ “UNAVEM II Background,” United Nations, 2000.

Throughout most of 1992, neither party imported lethal material. However, reports suggest that Brazil sold weapons to the government of Angola in December 1992, following the resumption of hostilities after the general election.¹

¹ Angola: Arms Trade and Violations of the Laws of War since the 1992 Elections, Human Rights Watch Arms Project, November 1994.

The Bicesse Accord prohibited the United States, the USSR, and all other countries from supplying lethal material to all parties in the Angolan conflict. After the agreement was signed in 1991, there have been zero reports of either party acquiring additional arms.

The Declaration of Cessation of Military Hostilities (DCMH) included an Amnesty Law that applied to any crimes committed in connection with the hostilities from March 2012 until August 2014.

News reports indicated that approximately 200 RENAMO (Mozambican National Resistance) fighters were released from government captivity on November 6, 2014. The government additionally requested that RENAMO identify other supporters still in government captivity. No additional releases were observed this year.

No ceasefire violations were reported from the signing of the Townsville Peace Agreement to the end of 2000.

No further developments observed.

No further developments observed.