MONDAY, 2.30PM
ANGOLAN state radio on Sunday accused former rebel movement Unita of mobilising troops in the northern province of Uige, in the region of renewed fighting that is threatening the country’s fragile peace.
The radio quoted vice-governor of defence in the province, Fernando Jose Kenge, as saying heavily armed Unita troops had been seen in at least four areas in the province, and had reoccupied military bases they had previously abandoned in the demobilisation in terms of the 1994 peace pact between Unita and the Angolan government.
Meanwhile, Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos has agreed to meet Unita leader Jonas Savimbi to discuss the renewed fighting, but only in Angola. Savimbi, who has consistently refused to enter Luanda becasue of fears for hsi safety, had earlier suggested a meeting in Italy.