Africa

UNIMEE Photo: J.Aramburu, February 2001

Convoy of UNMEE light armoured vehicles in central Eritrea

Following the completion of phase III of a disarmament and demobilization process affecting some 47,000 ex-combatants between May 2001 and January 2002, the UN Mission in Sierra Leone supported successful national elections in May, and continues to assist the Government in extending its authority throughout the country. Enhanced stability paved the way for about 100,000 Sierra Leonean refugees to return home.

The UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea continued to monitor the temporary security zone and to assist in the implementation of a peace agreement between the two countries. It provided logistical support to the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission, which delivered a judgment on the border.

MONUC Photo: Andrzej

Young mothers and their children wait at a Nutrition Centre in Nyunzu, Democratic Republic of Congo

As military observers, troops, police and civilian staff of the UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) deployed to new sites throughout the country, bilateral agreements were signed between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda and the DRC and Uganda, and foreign troop withdrawals continued. MONUC continued to monitor the ceasefire, verify withdrawal of foreign troops and support ad hoc disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration of armed groups, pending authorization of the task forces necessary to embark on these activities at full scale.

MONUC also carried on with its human rights activities related to the peaceful resolution of the conflict.

In neighbouring Angola, prospects for peace improved with the death of the opposition UNITA leader in February. In August, the UN Security Council authorized the establishment of a new UN mission in Angola as a follow on mission to the UN Office in Angola in order to support the reinvigorated peace process. This included chairing the Joint Commission re-established by the Memorandum of Commitment signed on 26 August between the Government and UNITA, and participating as observer in the Military Commission. Other tasks included assisting the Government in promoting and protecting human rights, helping mobilize humanitarian assistance and providing technical advice for demining.

The UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara continued to monitor the ceasefire and the confinement of Moroccan and Frente POLISARIO troops to designated locations and to prepare electronic filing of eligible voters, while the Secretary-General searched for a way forward on the self-determination question.

Progress towards peace in Somalia was slow despite efforts of the UN Political Office for Somalia and of the frontline states (Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya) of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development to help Somali parties to that conflict to hold a National Reconciliation Conference. A Contact Group on Somalia was formed to aid the mediation process.

The UN Office in Burundi continued to support peace and reconciliation efforts through implementation of the Arusha Agreement on Peace, as evidenced by the establishment of the Transitional Government and the return of the Implementation Monitoring Committee. Deployment of the South African special protection unit enabled exiled political leaders to return to Burundi and participate in the Transitional Government, the National Assembly and the Senate. However, the situation remained unstable as ceasefire negotiations failed to bring an end to the fighting between the army and armed groups.

UN peace-building support offices in the Central African Republic, Guinea Bissau and Liberia continued to address post conflict priorities in those countries. Support included the promotion of national reconciliation, the establishment of democratic processes, the enhancement of respect for human rights and legal systems, and the mobilization of international economic assistance. The offices also worked closely with UN country teams to mainstream conflict prevention into national development plans. The deterioration of the situation in Liberia was, however, cause for concern, compromising hopes of achieving sustainable peace after almost a decade of conflict.