Detailed Timeline: Bicesse Accords
Implementations
Detailed Timeline – 1991
The Bicesse Accords called for the suspension of all hostilities beginning on May 15. This deadline was met, and the government and UNITA leadership formally accepted the cease-fire to begin at midnight on May 15,1 despite occasional allegations of cease-fire violations throughout 1991.
The Bicesse Accords stipulated the establishment of CCPM and CMVF and the initiation of verification operations by May 31. These bodies were established in accordance with the timeline and began meeting in June.2
The Bicesse Accords called for establishing a monitoring system—comprised of monitoring groups subordinate to CMVF—by June 15. While some regional monitoring groups were established, delays obstructed the formation of several others (such as the joint police monitoring group, which was not formed in 1991).3
The Bicesse Accords stipulated the installation of the UN verification system by June 30. 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.4 The mission authorized a total of 350 military observers, 126 civilian police, 87 international civilians, and 155 local staff.5 By July, 120 UN monitors had arrived in Angola, and head-of-mission General Pericles had begun attending CCPM meetings.6 By October 25, all authorized positions were filled.7 UN staff actively monitored compliance with the agreement, particularly by counting troops and weapons in assembly areas and providing logistical support for implementation procedures.8
The Bicesse Accord stipulated that armed forces should move to assembly areas by August 1. By the end of 1991, approximately 65% of troops had assembled.9
1 “Angolan cease-fire date reportedly accepted by government and UNITA,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, May 17, 1991.
2 “Angola first meeting of joint commission; legal basis to be established,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, June 20, 1991.
3 “UNAVEM II Background,” United Nations, 2000.
4 “United Nations Angola Verification Mission II,” United Nations, 2000.
5 “United Nations Angola Verification Mission II,” United Nations, 2000.
6 “Angola Luanda meeting of joint commission,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, July 18, 1991.
7 “United Nations Angola Verification Mission II,” United Nations, 2000.
8 “UNAVEM II Background,” United Nations, 2000.
9 “Round-up: 1991 –year of peace for Angola,” Xinhua General News Service, December 19, 1991.
Detailed Timeline – 1992
The Bicesse Accords called for general elections to be held from September 1-November 30, 1992. The President of Angola, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, announced on April 2 that general elections would take place on September 29 and 30.1 UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi formally accepted this timeline on April 5, 1992.2 The date was formalized through a presidential decree issued on July 17.3 The general elections for presidential and parliamentary representatives began, as scheduled, on September 29, 1992,4 and continued on September 30.5 Since no presidential candidate earned a simple majority of votes, Electoral Law required a run-off election within 30 days of the election results announcement.6 However, no run-off election took place in 1992.
The Bicesse Accords stipulated that the processes of forming the Angolan Armed Forces must conclude on the date of general elections. The UN Secretary-General reported that as of September 2, only 19% of the Angolan Armed Forces were assembled.7 Nonetheless, on September 27, both UNITA and the Angolan government formally dissolved their armies and established the Angolan Armed Forces. However, the demobilization of troops and formation of the Angolan Armed Forces remained incomplete.8 However, UNITA withdrew from the Angolan Armed Forces on October 5, 1992.9
1 “Angola sets general election data,” Xinhua General News Service, April 2, 1992.
2 “UNITA accepts Angola’s general election timetable,” Xinhua General News Service, April 5, 1992.
3 “Angola formalizes date for elections,” Xinhua General News Service, July 17, 1992.
4 “General elections kick off in Angola,” Xinhua General News Service, September 29, 1992.
5 “Angola’s first ever multiparty elections enters second day,” United Press International, September 30, 1992.
6 “Further Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II),” UN Security Council, November 25, 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, November 25, 1992.
9 “UNITA announces withdrawal from integrated army,” Xinhua General News Service, October 6, 1992.