while the hostilities in angola continued, the parties met in june and august in new york city and geneva. finally all approved an outline agreement of "principles for a peaceful settlement in south western africa" on 20 july. during the negotiations, the south africans were asked to release imprisoned anc activist nelson mandela as a sign of goodwill, which was denied. a ceasefire was finally agreed upon on august 8, 1988. mandela remained in prison until 2 february 1990, when south africa lifted the ban on activities of the anc african national congress.