|You are in: Talking Point|
Tuesday, 9 April, 2002, 12:39 GMT 13:39 UK
Angola: Is the war over?
Angola is edging closer to peace.
A ceasefire agreement is scheduled to be signed on Thursday, formally ending 25 years of civil war.
The two sides have resolved a number of military questions, including plans for the demobilisation of 50,000 UNITA soldiers.
Rebel fighters will also be given amnesty if, as is likely, Parliament approves the move.
However, it is not certain whether peace will return to the troubled country.
Will UNITA be able to convince all of its armed members to give up their weapons? Does the government want peace, or would it prefer to keep the war going as an excuse not to develop the country?
This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.
Rob Crossan, UK
I went through Angola in 1992 and it was at the time the Lisbon Peace Accord was being implemented.
Most of my friends in the UK are Angolans and would like to see change in their country. I am very positive that peace in Angola will drive peace in Congo/Kinshasa, my country.
Benjamin Tchiyevo, Angola
I congratulate Angola on showing other African leaders that peace is an option. I will soon be visiting the country on business and am looking forward to it.
Let the international community aid the rebuilding of this beautiful and potential-filled country.
However, landmines remain a huge obstacle - making rich fertile land go untouched and rendering the population hungry.
Paulo Mendes, Portugal
I genuinely hope that the Angolan civil war is finally over now.
We all know that it will take great effort and commitment on the part of the government and the leaders of UNITA to implement the peace process in a society that has been torn by war for the last forty years.
However, I believe that the widespread suffering of millions over four decades will be replaced by the hope of finally building a country that will accept all citizens equally.
Matthias Kulubya, London, UK
We hope so. If that is the case then let's give them a helping hand. It's good for Africa as a whole.
I am hopeful and praying that the on going dialogue between UNITA and the government delegates will bring a lasting peace to the impoverished peoples of that country, but I also have my fears. The rebels at this point may be in disarray and may want to use this talk to regroup and reorganise their house. We experienced the same in Sierra Leone and also in neighbouring Liberia where the rebels signed numerous peace deals only to turn back and kick against them. So the Angolan government has to be watchful.
It should be the prayer of all men of goodwill to see that peace reigns in the war-torn country of Angola. With the requisite political will on the part of both the government and the surviving leaders of UNITA, a truly durable peace should be possible now that the old stumbling block, Savimbi is no more.
Angolans need peace to develop this rich beautiful country. However, it cannot be done smoothly without democratic means. Elections need to be held as soon as possible to provide a genuine mandate for the government so that it can embark on economic, political, cultural and social development. As I look at the UNITA representatives, they look famished. They need food, shelter and a sense of belonging in order to fully participate in a new Pax Angolana.
Luis Lelis, Angola
After so many years of war, it's finally time to give peace a chance.
There is every likelihood now, with the death of Savimbi, that peace will return to Angola. It may not be today, but certainly that light at the end of the tunnel is much brighter now than before.
Of course I believe my land and its people will live in peace. One has to believe that there is an end for everything. In my understanding, the causes of the on-going war here in Angola, has been, to some extent, the fault of foreign countries. Now that my countrymen have sat by themselves at the table inside the country in order to find a common ground, things have really been put in a better perspective. Now it's only fair to say: Shame on all those who have predicted failure. May God bless Angola, and its people!
As an African-American I am very and if not more so appreciative of peace in my motherland than any where else. Africa will have the resources in future and until we as Africans unite and become part of this world as one I see nothing but positives. Angola do your thing (PEACE) and maybe others will follow (Middle East) and other African countries.
I Love Africa!
What is very wonderful about this agreement is that it was not brokered by the UN or EU. Not even by OAU. Who says African leaders cannot become sane persons? African leaders wake up fully to your responsibilities. You are there to make life easy for your people. Stop all wars generated by greed!
Hope this time UNITA has the responsibility to bring peace to our country, not to rearm again and blow our country again destroying all the few thing that we rebuilt.
02 Apr 02 | Africa
31 Mar 02 | Africa
17 Mar 02 | Africa
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Top Talking Point stories now:
Links to more Talking Point stories are at the foot of the page.
|E-mail this story to a friend|
Links to more Talking Point stories
To BBC Sport>> | To BBC Weather>> | To BBC World Service>>
© MMIII | News Sources | Privacy