Howard Barrell
Morale in Luanda, capital of war-torn Angola is at an all-time low, with food shortages now being experienced since the army started commandeering civilian supplies.
Forces of the rebel Unita movement, led by Jonas Savimbi, are encamped to the south and east of the capital, within 100km range.
This is causing growing fears among Luanda’s permanent population, thus far largely protected from the worst effects of the war, that Unita may soon launch a major offensive against the seat of government, according to residents. The mood in the city is sombre.
The government’s attempt to conscript all able-bodied men in Luanda into the army has met a lot of resistance, further sapping the morale of Luanda residents, and been a military failure.
The government needs new conscripts for a major offensive it is planning against Unita. The offensive had been due to start next week, to coincide with the onset of the dry season which allows for easier movement of soldiers and military hardware. But the offensive has now been postponed to the end of this month or early July. The reason for the postponement is the late arrival of new military equipment from Russia and Ukraine, according to regional security sources.
These sources also report serious tensions between the Angolan government’s defence ministry and the chief of staff, General Joao de Matos.
Meanwhile, President Jos Eduardo dos Santos is expected to leave Angola for France in the next few days for treatment for cancer. The treatment is expected to put him out of action for two to three weeks.