EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/369

(2004/C 88 E/0375)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1750/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(27 May 2003)

Subject: Cooperation with Angola: stability – demobilisation of UNITA

There have been many reports of the worrying situation in which demobilised former UNITA combatants find themselves. This has been the subject of various complaints made by leaders of UNITA to the Angolan Government and expressions of concern on the part of United Nations bodies. The socio-professional reintegration of these former combatants and their families forms part of the agreements which brought the long military conflict to an end and is vital to the country's stability. Frustration, uprooting, poverty, hunger and the absence of any prospects may lead some to despair, with the danger that extremely serious social problems may arise and unrest may spread around the country.

It should be added that, while the situation was relatively controlled and stable (albeit with considerable difficulties and shortages) as long as these former UNITA military and their families were housed in some 30 holding camps set up immediately after the end of the armed conflict, it could deteriorate rapidly in human and social terms when such camps are closed abruptly unless minimum reception and reintegration arrangements are made before then and appropriate professional training, agricultural rehabilitation and rural development measures are taken in the areas to which these populations will be heading.

In answer to my question of 4 March 2003 (E-0608/03 (1)), the Commission, through Commissioner Poul Nielson, confirmed the fact – which we welcome – that Community aid will be concentrated in the medium and long term on the social (health and education) sectors and on food security, with priority being given for the time being to financing the measures required to support the peace and national reconciliation process.

The Commission:

— what information does it have regarding the situation of these demobilised UNITA fighters;

— what measures has it taken or does it intend to take in this respect;

— is it prepared to allocate specific resources from the global amount earmarked for the 2002-2007 cooperation strategy, approved on 28 January 2003, to improving the living conditions of demobilised UNITA combatants, in particular with regard to the rehabilitation of communities, rural development, health, education and professional training, thereby providing direct support for the implementation of this part of the peace agreements and contributing directly to the peace process, reconciliation and stability in Angola;

— is it also open to the idea that these specific programmes should be managed jointly by the Government and UNITA, as envisaged by the World Bank?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(18 July 2003)

The de-mobilisation and re-integration of ex-UNITA soldiers is a key for the success of the peace process and there have indeed been complaints about the government's handling of the demobilisation and reintegration process. With the official closure of the gathering areas by 31 March 2003, a large number of ex-UNITA soldiers and their families had been sent to transit centres, from which they were supposed to be transported to their areas of resettlement. There have been logistical delays and thousands are still held up in these centres with inadequate facilities, as conditions in the resettlement areas are not in place. However, with the numbers of ex-fighters (and family members) turning out to be much higher then envisaged in the Memorandum of Understanding of April 2002 (approx. 105,000 ex-fighters instead of 55,000), the government has a valid explanation for some of the problems encountered.

The Commission is convinced that the emergency demobilisation and reintegration program (ADRP) worth an estimated USD 180 million, which the Government has prepared and negotiated with the World Bank, will address and resolve these problems. As mentioned in the answer to the Honourable Member's written question E-1678/03 (2), the Commission participates in the ADRP through its contribution of EUR 20 million to the Multi-Donor Trust Fund within the framework of the Multi-country Demobilisation and Re-Integration Program (MDRP).

In addition to the Commission's engagement in the ADRP, ex-UNITA soldiers and their families also benefit from the distribution of seeds, tools and food aid from the EUR 30 million Emergency Programme to Support the Peace Programme. UNITA ex-combatants and their families have also benefited from emergency nutrition and health interventions financed by the Community. Furthermore the Commission's support programme for reconstruction (Programa de Apoio a Reconstrução), which is the main rural rehabilitation and reconstruction programme in Angola (EUR 55 million) and targets the improvement of access to basic social services mainly in the central highlands, will also benefit returning ex-UNITA soldiers and their families. The Commission is currently considering a financial contribution from the 9th European Development Fund (EDF) to the FAS (Fondo de Apoio Social). The objective of this fund (now in its 3rd phase) is to achieve improved, expanded and sustainable utilisation of basic social and economic services and to support a governance system where local government and communities are mutually accountable.

On a final note it should be mentioned that, in general, discrimination between the different groups (ex-combatants, internally displaced persons, returning refugees, etc.) is not advisable, as it is likely to cause tensions between these groups. That said, UNITA is of course a special case, and preferential treatment of the ex-combatants and their families in the interest of the consolidation of the peace process is unavoidable. The situation is, however, sensitive and needs to be handled with care. The Commission is open to a joint management of specific programmes by the government and UNITA.

(1) OJ C 33 E, 6.2.2004, p. 57.

(2) See page 39.