/ 4 January 2001

AMNESTY FOR REBEL FIGHTERS

THIRTY-TWO fighters of the Angolan rebel movement UNITA have been freed under a government amnesty announced on November 10, the eve of the 25th anniversary of independence in the war-torn southern African country. UNITA, led by Jonas Savimbi, rejected the amnesty offer, but small numbers of rebel fighters have surrendered their weapons and handed themselves over to Angolan troops. – AFP