Washington, DC — A speedier than expected demobilization of Unita troops, "strong political will of both the Angolan government and Unita," and efforts by an American, Russian and Portuguese "troika" are hopeful signs of progress, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Walter H. Kansteiner told the Senate Subcommittee on African Affairs Wednesday.
"For the first time, ordinary Angolans and politicians on both sides sincerely believe that peace has arrived to stay," he said. The 'troika' is providing support for the United Nations Joint Commission charged with facilitating implementation of the Angola peace accord, he explained.
However, much more is needed, he stressed. "The international community has a historic opportunity to assist Angola in following the right path after more than two decades of civil war and poor governance," Kansteiner told the subcommittee.
Angola will become more "prominent" in international affairs over the next two years in its role as an African regional representative on the United Nations Security Council, the assistant secretary said. Angola also assumed the presidency of the 14-nation Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) at the organization's summit in Luanda last month.
The United States will be actively "engaged" in efforts aimed at securing the peace in Angola, said Kansteiner. This includes assisting Angolans "to successfully make the often painful transition from a closed one party state to an open democracy." The American government will also train "civil society actors" and political parties, "including Unita to transform it from an armed rebel movement to a constructive opposition party."
There are "numerous humanitarian challenges," Kansteiner told the subcommittee, that will determine the success and sustainability of the peace.
Some 4.3 million Angolans are internally displaced and in need of assistance. And, as areas once inaccessible because of war open up, another 800,000 people may require assistance by year's end. The Angolan government "failed to deliver much of its promised assistance," said Kansteiner. Donor aid has been slowed by "bureaucratic delays, lack of transparency, and a lack of adequate Angolan logistical support," he said, resulting in worsening conditions "in a number of the quartering areas," where 80,000 Unita troops and some 300,000 of their family members are located.
All Unita troops are now disarmed, but integration of former Unita rebels with the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) and police is "just beginning." Only 4,900 of these troops will go into the army and another 100 into the police force, which lends urgency to the task of resettling the thousands of people now living in the quartering areas.
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Local Angolan NGOs and the international community must be involved in their reintegration, Kansteiner told the subcommittee.
Kansteiner also said the 100,000-person army will have to define a new mission for itself in post conflict Angola but this remains vague. That mission should "support the political and economic development process," he said. The United States European Command (EUCOM) plans to invite the armed forces chief, General Cruz Neto, and an Angolan delegation to EUCOM headquarters for briefings. "The goal is to build a rapport to allow U.S. DOD [Department of Defense] officials and military personnel access and influence with Angolan civilian and military officials to help them to develop an apolitical and transparent institution."
Kansteiner said little about Angola's reportedly high levels of corruption but did acknowledge that corruption exists "at all levels." The United States will be offering training "in how to blow the whistle" on corruption. The fight against corruption is also another argument in favor of a "pluralistic system," he added. "There is nothing better than an opposing party to blow the whistle."
