Commonwealth Calls for Tightened Sanctions over Angolan Rebels

The Commonwealth governments urged the international community on November 15 to fully support the implementation of the United Nations sanctions on the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). The just-ended Commonwealth summit said in a communique that the Commonwealth leaders expressed their grave concern over the continuing suffering of the people of Angola and accused the UNITA for the breakdown of the peace process.

The leaders urged for immediate humanitarian assistance to the country, especially for the displaced.

According to sources close to the leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) attending the Durban summit, SADC leaders have agreed to speed up their assistance program to the Angolan government in its fight against Jonas Savimbi's rebel movement UNITA.

The SADC leaders met in George in the Western Cape some 1,000 kilometers away from the summit venue and held a two-and-a-half-hour meeting on Angola and other regional issues.

The leaders agreed that they should do more to help the Angolan government.

A real and dynamic co-ordinated program should be put in place to deal with the Angolan government's humanitarian request, they said.

The leaders said not enough has been done to help the government of President (Jose) Eduardo dos Santos against UNITA.

So far, the Angolan government has not invited the SADC to send troops to the country in fighting against the rebels.


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