Luanda | Saturday
THE Angolan government has announced that rebel leader Jonas Savimbi was killed on Friday in fighting with government forces in the central-eastern province of Moxico.
Angolan presidential representative Aldemiro da Conceicao told Portuguese private radio TSF in an interview that Savimbi’s body was now in government hands and would soon be shown to the public. Conceicao said he hoped that Portugal, Russia and the United States the ”troika” of nations whose observers monitor the fragile peace since accords were signed with Unita in 1994 – would have a ”rational and understanding reaction” to his death. Civil war has divided Angola since it gained independence from Portugal in 1975, with government forces fighting Savimbi’s National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (Unita) – a conflict that has claimed at least 500 000 lives.
However, a representative for the South African Department of Foreign Affairs said authorities were attempting to verify the reports.
Ronnie Mamoepa said officials were making contact with the South African Embassy in Angola to get clarity on the matter.
Several peace accords, including those signed in the Zambian capital Lusaka in 1994, have been reached but never fully respected.
The following is a chronology of events since the signing of the Lusaka accords:
1994
Nov 20: Peace accords signed in Lusaka, Zambia, calling for the disarming of Unita fighters and the rebel group’s participation in government.
1995
Feb 8: UN Security Council agrees to send a 7 000-strong peacekeeping force to Angola.
May 6: First summit between President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos and Jonas Savimbi.
May 18: Savimbi declares that he accepts the September 1992 election results and in June announces ”the end of the war in Angola.”
1996
March 1: Fourth Dos Santos-Savimbi summit decides a national union government and the formation of a single army.
May 8: Amnesty law passed.
Nov 13: Parliament abolishes the post of vice-president after Savimbi refuses to take it up.
Nov 20: Savimbi says Unita has been completely disarmed, but that is refuted by UN observers, who say 15 000 fighters have deserted.
1997
April 8: The parliament recognises Savimbi as head of the opposition and accords him special privileges.
April 9: Unita representatives elected in 1992 officially take their posts.
April 11: National union and reconciliation government takes office, with 11 Unita members.
June 30: Creation of the UN Mission of Observers in Angola (Monua), which succeeds previous peacekeeping mission (Unavem III).
Oct 30: UN sanctions against Unita for not respecting peace accords go into effect.
1998
March 11: Unita recognized as political party.
July 21: 215 people killed in Lunda-Norte (northeast Angola).
Aug 8-9: 145 people killed in Malanje (north) in attacks blamed on Unita.
Aug 24: Unita ceases collaboration with ”troika” of nations monitoring peace accord — Russia, the United States and Portugal.
Sept 2: Former Savimbi allies form dissident group. Government breaks off dialogue with Unita, recognizing dissidents as official negotiators.
Oct 27: Parliament voids special privileges granted to Savimbi in 1997 as leader of main opposition party.
Nov: Army launches an offensive against Unita.
1999
Jan 2: UN plane carrying nine passengers crashes in central Angola, following crash the month before in the same region with 14 aboard. All passengers found dead.
Jan 29: Dos Santos government assumes full powers in bid to tackle rebels.
Feb 26: UN ends observer mission due to escalating conflict.
July 24: Arrest warrant issued for Savimbi for ”armed rebellion, sabotage and slaughter”.
Sept 14: Start of significant military operation, targeting Unita strongholds of Andulo, Bailundo, Mungo and Nhareya, as well as former rebel headquarters in Jamba.
Dec: Namibia authorises Angola to use its territory to fight Unita.
2000
Mar 10: UN inquiry accuses African heads of state of arms and diamond trafficking with Unita, violating UN sanctions against rebels.
Nov 30: Parliament approves general amnesty for Unita rebels and Savimbi. Unita rejects amnesty law, demanding direct talks with Dos Santos government.
Attacks blamed on rebels intensify, targeting cities, villages and major roads. Army now attacking Unita virtually across the country.
2001
May 5: Unita attack in Caxito, 60 kilometres north of the capital Luanda, leaves 100 dead and 100 missing.
June 3: Savimbi admits rout by army in conventional warfare, saying it justifies switch to guerrilla tactics.
10: Unita attacks passenger train east of Luanda, leaving 259 dead and 412 missing.
Aug 21: Government demands that Savimbi be tried in international tribunal for crimes against humanity.
Aug 24: More than 50 killed in attacks in Malange (northern Angola).
Sept 24: US President George W. Bush extends sanctions against Unita for one year, saying rebels continue to threaten peace process.
Sept 28: Oxfam International warns that Angolans are enduring a humanitarian catastrophe.
2002
Feb 18: Army claims seizure of several rebel military bases and killings of eight rebels in the central-eastern province of Moxico, where Savimbi has taken refuge.
Feb 22: Angolan government and army announce death of Savimbi in fighting with government forces in Moxico province. – Sapa-AFP
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