TRISH MURPHY, Johannesburg | Friday 4.30PM.
THE Angolan government is preparing for a full-scale offensive against Unita rebels, sources in Luanda and elsewhere in Angola report.
Although Luanda denies it is preparing for war, it is also reported to be recruiting, as is Unita. Angolan president Eduardo Dos Santos this week was in France, and has continued to Brazil, attempting to ensure that an offensive does not result on international sanctions against Luanda.
Last week Dos Santos held meetings with both Namibian president Sam Njoma and Democratic Republic of Congo president Laurent Kabila. It is reported that although the two countries will not supply troops, they will allow Angloa to use their territory and facilities where required.
There is no indication of when the attack will be launched, but there is speculation that it will start once Dos Santos returns to Luanda next week.
Unita personnel in Luanda have been recalled to Unita’s chief stronghold Andulo, in the central province of Bie.
An American analyist speaking on SABC3 said on Thursday night that sanctions against Luanda were not very likely. “I think the international community will be giving Luanda a long leash,” he said.
The Zambia Post reports that the ruling labour party of Congo (Brazzaville) has also expressed “total support” for Luanda and has said it need only be told what sort of assistance is required. President Denis Sassou-Nguesso hase made the offer as a gesture of goodwill to Angola who backed his Cobra fighters against the country’s ousted president Pascal Lissouba.