Letter: Angolan impasse
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Your article on the death of several workers at a diamond mine in North-east Angola (report, 11 November) fails to put the deteriorating situation in the context of the rebel movement Unita's continued refusal to comply with an internationally-backed peace agreement.
In 1992 the MPLA, which has been in power for over two decades, won the first multi-party elections - which were deemed free and fair by the United Nations. It was Unita that refused to accept these results and returned to war.
The 1994 peace deal was designed to bring Unita into government in return for the movement's disarmament and demilitarisation. Four Unita members sit in the Cabinet. Seventy Unita members sit in the country's parliament. Yet its leader, Jonas Savimbi, continues to pursue his preferred military option.
As the UN Security Council has stated, "the primary cause of the crisis in Angola and of the current impasse in the peace process is the failure by the leadership of Unita to comply with its obligations".
JOHN HUGHES
Angola Peace Monitor
London N1
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments