/ 6 September 2000

ANGOLAN ARMY TROOPS NAKED AND STARVING

ANGOLAN army officers have warned President Jose Eduardo dos Santos of serious discontent as troops go starving and even naked while allocated funds are missing. Young soldiers “are hungry, going naked or have no boots … and are being driven to quit their units,” according to a letter to Dos Santos signed by several dozen officers, including generals. “The government’s economic and financial plan allocates a large sum to the defence and security bodies,” the letter stated. “But where has this money gone?” – AFP