Bicesse Accords

Bicesse Accords. The Bicesse Accords, also known as the Estoril Accords or Bicesse Agreement, were a set of agreements signed on May 31, 1991, in Estoril, Portugal, by the MPLA (People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola) and UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola), with the mediation of the Portuguese government, United States, and the Soviet Union. The accords were an attempt to bring an end to the Angolan Civil War, which had been ongoing since Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975. The negotiations were facilitated by Jorge Sampaio, United Nations, and European Community.

Introduction

The Bicesse Accords were a significant development in the history of Angola, as they marked the first time that the MPLA and UNITA had agreed to a ceasefire and a transition to democracy. The accords were signed in the presence of United States Secretary of State James Baker, Soviet Foreign Minister Alexander Bessmertnykh, and Portuguese Foreign Minister João de Deus Pinheiro. The agreement was also supported by the Organization of African Unity and the European Community. The Bicesse Accords were an important step towards the implementation of the New York Accords, which had been signed in 1988 by Angola, Cuba, and South Africa. The accords also paved the way for the Angolan general election, 1992, which was the first democratic election in the history of Angola.

Background

The Angolan Civil War had been ongoing since 1975, when Angola gained independence from Portugal. The war was fought between the MPLA, which was supported by the Soviet Union and Cuba, and UNITA, which was supported by the United States and South Africa. The war had caused significant human suffering and economic damage, and had become a major concern for the international community. The United Nations had been involved in efforts to bring an end to the war, and had sponsored several rounds of negotiations between the MPLA and UNITA. The Bicesse Accords were the result of these efforts, and were facilitated by the United Nations Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar. The accords were also supported by the African National Congress and the South West Africa People's Organization.

Provisions

The Bicesse Accords provided for a ceasefire, the establishment of a transitional government, and the holding of democratic elections. The accords also established a United Nations peacekeeping force, known as UNAVEM II, to monitor the ceasefire and provide security for the elections. The accords also provided for the demobilization of the armed forces of the MPLA and UNITA, and the establishment of a new national army. The agreement was signed by José Eduardo dos Santos, the President of Angola, and Jonas Savimbi, the leader of UNITA. The accords were also witnessed by Fidel Castro, the President of Cuba, and Nelson Mandela, the President of South Africa.

Implementation

The implementation of the Bicesse Accords was difficult and contentious. The MPLA and UNITA had different interpretations of the accords, and there were several incidents of violence and ceasefire violations. The United Nations peacekeeping force, UNAVEM II, was deployed to Angola to monitor the ceasefire and provide security for the elections. The force was led by United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali and included troops from Brazil, India, and Zambia. The elections were held in 1992, and were won by the MPLA. However, UNITA disputed the results, and the war resumed.

Aftermath

The failure of the Bicesse Accords to bring a lasting peace to Angola was a major setback for the international community. The war resumed, and continued until 2002, when UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi was killed. The MPLA has since maintained control of the government, and Angola has made significant progress in rebuilding its economy and infrastructure. The Bicesse Accords are still seen as an important step towards the eventual peace and stability of Angola, and have been cited as a model for conflict resolution in other parts of the world, including Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The accords have also been studied by scholars at the University of Oxford and the Harvard University. The legacy of the Bicesse Accords continues to be felt in Angola today, and the country remains a key player in regional organizations such as the Southern African Development Community and the African Union.

Category:Peace treaties