Peacekeeping in Angola (UNAVEM I and II)

Abstract

This article examines the origin and course of the conflict in Angola as well as the role and influence of the two United Nations Angola Verification Missions (UNAVEM I and II). It explains the differences between the two UN missions and offers reasons for the failure of the peace process during UNAVEM II, focusing on the inadequate mandate, underfunding and insufficient number of personnel as well as inadequate organization. Neither the 1991 Bicesse Accords nor the mandate of UNAVEM II led to stabilization of the conflict in Angola. Rather, they allowed the fragile peace process to revert to war and disaster. Therefore, the Security Council authorized the establishment of UNAVEM III in early 1995. As the basis for the mandates and operations of both the UN missions in Angola, the peace agreements were the key factors for further development of the situation. While the bilateral agreement between Cuba and Angola from December 1988 and the mandate of UNAVEM I were clear and practicable, contentious provisions of the Bicesse Accords coupled with the limited mandate of UNAVEM II led to futher blunders and, in the end, to the overall failure of the mission.