Demobilization: Bicesse Accords
Implementations
Demobilization – 1991
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.
Demobilization – 1992
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.