United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM)
- Duration
- 5 July 1991 - 8 February 1995
- Military personnel
- 233
- Fatalities
- 1
- Decorations
- none
From as long ago as the end of the 15th century, Angola had been a Portuguese colony. After the decolonisation, the Angolan liberation movements – MPLA and UNITA – proved unable to form a joint transitional government.
Withdrawal agreement
In the 10 years that followed, the MPLA government, which received military support from Cuba, was recognised by a great many countries, but UNITA continued, with help from South Africa, to put up resistance in the south. In 1988, Angola, South Africa and Cuba signed the Brazzaville Agreement concerning the withdrawal of the South African and Cuban troops from Angola. The United Nations Angola Verification Mission I (UNAVEM I) oversaw the withdrawal of the Cubans. The civil war continued, however.
Bicesse Accord
Negotiations between the MPLA government and UNITA resulted on 31 May 1991 in the Bicesse accord. One of the stipulations of this accord was that a considerable number of the MPLA and UNITA fighters would be cantoned and disarmed, while the rest would form the basis for a national Angolan army. The UN’s only task would be to verify the joint commissions. UNAVEM II thus came into being.