Reforms at national, provincial, and municipal levels will ensure that the treasured new peace stays firm for future generations

HILE political issues such as the demobilization of armed forces were handled immediately after the peace accord in Angola, the humanitarian situation has remained serious. Hundreds of communities were displaced as part of deliberate war strategies aimed at depopulating the countryside and depriving combatants of food and other forms of social support.

Humanitarian agencies have found that in 70% of the newly accessible areas, people either have low levels of food security or are at risk of serious hunger. In half the areas, malnutrition levels and child and maternal mortality rates are critical. Very few children attend school and only 38% of the population has access to clean drinking water. It is in this fragile environment that Angolans have to begin the process of reconciliation, rehabilitation, and reconstruction.

BRIGADIER GENERAL FERNANDO GARCIA MIALA Managing Director of the External Intelligence Service

Urgent priority areas are the reintegration of UNITA ex-combatants, resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees, and removal of landmines. More than 400 national and international NGOs and 24 U.N. agencies are helping, but government leadership will be imperative to avoid sowing the seeds of future conflict. The war is over, but now the peace must be won.

The national armed forces have been assisting in the government’s humanitarian relief measures. As Brigadier General Fernando Garcia Miala, Managing Director of the External Intelligence Service says, “The security services in Angola have a very important role, especially in this transition phase, in the consolidation of peace.”

GENERAL KUNDI PAIHAMA Minister of National Defense

The government is aware that it is in its own best interests to address the country’s humanitarian needs as quickly as possible. Minister of National Defense Kundi Paihama comments, “To consolidate peace, it is not enough just to stop firing guns. It requires a psychological, social, and moral adjustment on the part of the people. We are aware that problems need to be solved both in the short-term and in the long-term, and that furthermore, this is the politically intelligent route, as when a person feels totally abandoned they will revolt, so peace consolidation is only possible through meeting the needs of the people.”

In addition to an interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), the Angolan government has prepared a post- conflict Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program, which is divided into two phases.

The first ‘priority’ phase, to be implemented between 2003-2005, is part of the interim PRSP and focuses on consolidating the peace and reestablishing state administration throughout the country. More particularly, the program aims to assist returning IDPs and refugees, enhance food security, improve rural life and service delivery, reestablish critical transportation links, and expand government capacity at the provincial and district levels.

In addition, a follow-up ‘stabilization and recovery’ program, to be implemented between 2005-2010, will aim to accelerate growth in the non-oil/non-diamond economy, rehabilitate infrastructure, support the construction of community infrastructure, and deepen institutional and policy reforms.

“We are aware of the problems in the country, the returning and resettlement of the population,” relates Joao Baptista Kussumua, Minister of Assistance and Social Reintegration. “To date, the government has spent more than US$125 million in reintegration efforts, US$55 million of which was allocated for the social integration program for UNITA soldiers.”

In its fight against poverty, the Angolan government recently approved a US$20 million infrastructure investment program in each province. Minister of Planning Ana Dias Lourenço elaborates, “The Ministry is involved in strategic preparations for the fight against poverty, and the PRSP is a document that we consider to be very important. The provinces have a program to implement in 2003 and 2004 in order to begin to put this into effect.”

An important participant in Angolan educational development is the Eduardo dos Santos Foundation (FESA), whose mission is to assist in the general social development of the country.

ISMAEL DIOGO DA SILVA President of FESA

FESA President Ismael Diogo da Silva explains, “The foundation emerged from the inspiration of its sponsor, President dos Santos, and a group of people interested in and connected to the social cause, who aimed to transmit a spirit of solidarity by helping those who have less.

“Our social objectives manifest themselves in aspects such as education, health, technology and scientific development, culture, and sports. However, we are particularly concerned with education. We believe education is fundamental for the growth of a country and its people.”

FESA’s achievements to date include the construction of 65 schools in the country, the establishment of training programs for teachers, and the creation of an exchange student program with Brazil. The organization has also formed agreements with various U.S. universities for an exchange of expertise in the areas of health and education training.