Annan pledges continuing UN support

Following the rapid progress made since Angola's April ceasefire, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday said he was "pleased" with the developments in the southern African country since his last visit. Annan, who was last in the country in 1997, pledged continued support for the ongoing peace process and called on the international community to step up assistance to the country after its 27-year-long civil war. Annan's visit coincided with the first meeting of a joint commission charged with implementing the long-delayed 1994 Lusaka peace agreement between the government and former UNITA rebels. "The secretary-general highlighted the need for a partnership between the Angolan government and the international community. He stressed the need for urgent humanitarian assistance and mine clearance, saying these were important steps in helping rebuild the country," Wilton Fonseca, a spokesman for the UN Office for Angola, told IRIN. The oil-producing country is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. Estimates suggest that there are 4 million to 5 million landmines spread across Angola. Earlier this month, the UN Security Council approved the establishment of the UN Mission in Angola (UNMA) for a period of six months until 15 February 2003. The UNMA will be headed by a special representative appointed by Annan and will assist the Angolan government in the "protection and promotion of human rights and in the building of institutions to consolidate peace and enhance the rule of law". Meanwhile, the Angolan government and UNITA have set a 45-day deadline to implement the Lusaka agreement, the Portuguese news agency, Lusa reported. Under the treaty, six ambassadorships and four ministries were reserved for UNITA. The former rebel movement was also assigned seven deputy minister portfolios, three governorships and 75 town council administrator posts. Annan will visit Botswana, Lesotho and Mozambique before attending the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 1 September.