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Verification – 1991

The Bicesse Accords called for the formation of the Joint Political-Military Commission (CCPM) and the subordinate Joint Verification and Monitoring Commission (CMVF), both to be composed of representatives of the Government of the People’s Republic of Angola and UNITA, as members, and of representatives of Portugal, the United States of America, and the USSR, as observers. The Bicesse Accords tasked the CCPM with verifying compliance with the implementation by both parties with all provisions of the agreement. The Bicesse Accords charged the CMVF with establishing monitoring groups and verifying the operation of the monitoring groups. The CCPM held its first meeting on June 17, 1991,¹ and continued to hold meetings throughout 1991. The CCPM established and approved its functional regulations at its third meeting on June 27.² The functional regulations for the CMVF were approved on June 27.³ However, on September 11, UNITA withdrew from the CCPM, citing government noncompliance with the terms of the agreement,⁴ but resumed participation on September 17.⁵ While some regional monitoring groups were established, many remained highly disorganized, fragmented, and ineffective in 1991.⁶ Others, such as the joint police monitoring groups, were not formed in 1991.⁷ 

The Bicesse Accords also called for UN representatives to monitor the agreement’s implementation and participate in the CMVP and CCPM. After signing the agreement, the Angolan government requested that the UN extend the mandate of the pre-existing United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM).⁸ In May, the United Nations established the United Nations Angola Verification Mission II (UNAVEM II) to monitor and verify the agreement, cease-fire, and elections.⁹ The mission authorized a total of 350 military observers, 126 civilian police, 87 international civilians, and 155 local staff.¹⁰  By July, 120 UN monitors had arrived in Angola, and head-of-mission General Pericles had begun attending CCPM meetings.¹¹ By October 25, all authorized positions were filled.¹² UN staff actively monitored compliance with the agreement, particularly by counting troops and weapons in assembly areas and providing logistical support for implementation procedures.¹³

¹ “Angola first meeting of joint commission; legal basis to be established,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, June 20, 1991.
² “Angola’s CCPM approves functional regulations,” Xinhua General News Service, June 27, 1991.
³ “Angola’s CCPM approves functional regulations,” Xinhua General News Service, June 27, 1991.
⁴ “Angola UNITA official states conditions for return to joint commission,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, September 13, 1991.
⁵ “Angola government and UNITA officials interviewed on renewed negotiations,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, September 18, 1991.
⁶  “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.
⁷ “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.
⁸ “Angola first meeting of joint commission; legal basis to be established,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, June 20, 1991.
⁹ “United Nations Angola Verification Mission II,” United Nations, 2000.
¹⁰ “United Nations Angola Verification Mission II,” United Nations, 2000.
¹¹ “Angola Luanda meeting of joint commission,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, July 18, 1991.
¹² “United Nations Angola Verification Mission II,” United Nations, 2000.
¹³ “UNAVEM II Background,” United Nations, 2000.