Fundamental principles for the establishment of Peace in Angola (Bicesse Accords)

  • Country/entity
    Angola
  • Region
    Africa (excl MENA)
  • Agreement name
    Fundamental principles for the establishment of Peace in Angola (Bicesse Accords)
  • Date
    31 May 1991
  • Agreement status
    Multiparty signed/agreed
  • Interim arrangement
    Yes
  • Agreement/conflict level
    Intrastate/intrastate conflict ( Angolan Civil War (1975 - 2002) )
  • Stage
    Ceasefire/related
  • Conflict nature
    Government
  • Peace process
    Angola: UNITA process
  • Parties
    [Note: Actual signatories not listed, although parties appear to be Government of Angola and UNITA]
  • Third parties
    -
  • Description
    Attachment II Fundamental principles for the establishment of peace in Angola of the Bicesse Accords. This sets out the requirements in principle for establishing peace such as respect for human rights as well as more specific foundations such as consultation over amending the constitution and the establishment of a Joint Political-Military Commission.


Groups

  • Children/youth

    No specific mention.

  • Disabled persons

    No specific mention.

  • Elderly/age

    No specific mention.

  • Migrant workers

    No specific mention.

  • Racial/ethnic/national group

    No specific mention.

  • Religious groups

    No specific mention.

  • Indigenous people

    No specific mention.

  • Other groups

    No specific mention.

  • Refugees/displaced persons

    No specific mention.

  • Social class

    No specific mention.


Gender

  • Women, girls and gender

    No specific mention.

  • Men and boys

    No specific mention.

  • LGBTI

    No specific mention.

  • Family

    No specific mention.


State definition

  • Nature of state (general)

    No specific mention.

  • State configuration

    No specific mention.

  • Self determination

    No specific mention.

  • Referendum

    No specific mention.

  • State symbols

    No specific mention.

  • Independence/secession

    No specific mention.

  • Accession/unification

    No specific mention.

  • Border delimitation

    No specific mention.

  • Cross-border provision

    No specific mention.


Governance

  • Political institutions (new or reformed)

    No specific mention.

  • Elections
    Page 1, Point 1
    Recognition by UNITA of the Angolan State, of President José Eduardo dos Santos and of the Angolan Government until the general elections are held.

    Page 1, Point 3
    The Angolan Government will hold discussions with all political forces in order to survey their opinions concerning the proposed changes in the Constitution. The Angolan Government will then work with all the parties to draft the laws that will regulate the electoral process.

    Page 1, Point 6
    The process of creating the National Army will begin with the entry into force of the cease-fire and will be concluded on the date of the elections, under terms to be agreed on between the Government of the People's Republic of Angola and UNITA. The neutrality of the National Army in the electoral process will be guaranteed by the Angolan parties, acting within the framework of CCPM, with the support of the international monitoring group.
    Page 1, Point 4
    Free and fair elections for a new Government will take place following voter registration conducted under the supervision of international elections observers, who will remain in Angola until they certify that the elections were free and fair and that the results have been officially announced. At the time of the signature of the cease-fire, the parties will determine the period within which free and fair elections must be held. The exact date of said elections will be established through consultation with all political forces in Angola.
  • Electoral commission

    No specific mention.

  • Political parties reform

    No specific mention.

  • Civil society

    No specific mention.

  • Traditional/religious leaders

    No specific mention.

  • Public administration

    No specific mention.

  • Constitution
    Governance→Constitution→Constitutional reform/making
    Page 1, Point 2
    At the moment the cease-fire enters into force, UNITA will acquire the right to conduct and freely participate in political activities in accordance with the revised Constitution and the pertinent laws for the creation of a multi-party democracy.

    Page 1, Point 3
    The Angolan Government will hold discussions with all political forces in order to survey their opinions concerning the proposed changes in the Constitution. The Angolan Government will then work with all the parties to draft the laws that will regulate the electoral process.

Power sharing

  • Political power sharing

    No specific mention.

  • Territorial power sharing

    No specific mention.

  • Economic power sharing

    No specific mention.

  • Military power sharing
    Power sharing→Military power sharing→Merger of forces
    Point 6
    The process of creating the National Army will begin with the entry into
    force of the cease-fire and will be concluded on the date of the elections,
    under terms to be agreed on between the Government of the People's Republic of
    Angola and UNITA. The neutrality of the National Army in the electoral
    process will be guaranteed by the Angolan parties, acting within the framework
    of CCPM, with the support of the international monitoring group.
    Power sharing→Military power sharing→Joint command structures
    Page 3, Annex
    1. The Government of the People's Republic of Angola and UNITA agree to the
    formation of a Joint Political-Military Commission (CCPM), to be established
    at Luanda at the time of the signature of the "Fundamental principles tor the
    establishment of peace in Angola".
    2. CCPM shall be composed of representatives of the Government of the
    People's Republic of Angola and of UNITA as members, and by representatives of
    Portugal, the United States, and the Soviet Union as observers. In addition,
    a representative of the United Nations may be invited to participate in the
    meetings of CCPM.
    3. It shall be the task of CCPM to see that the peace accords are applied,
    theraby guaranteeing strict compliance with all political and military
    understandings, and to make the final decision on possible violations of those
    accords.
    4. CCPM shall have the authority necessary to approve all the rules relating
    to its functioning, particularly its own intarnal regulations. Its decisions
    will be made by consensus between the Government of the People's Republic of
    Angola and UNITA.

Human rights and equality

  • Human rights/RoL general
    Page 1, Point 5
    Respect for human rights and basic freedoms, including the right of free association.
  • Bill of rights/similar

    No specific mention.

  • Treaty incorporation

    No specific mention.

  • Civil and political rights
    Human rights and equality→Civil and political rights→Freedom of association
    Page 1, Point 5
    Respect for human rights and basic freedoms, including the right of free association.
  • Socio-economic rights

    No specific mention.


Rights related issues

  • Citizenship

    No specific mention.

  • Democracy
    Page 1, Point 2
    At the moment the cease-fire enters into force, UNITA will acquire the right to conduct and freely participate in political activities in accordance with the revised Constitution and the pertinent laws for the creation of a multi-party democracy.
  • Detention procedures

    No specific mention.

  • Media and communication

    No specific mention.

  • Mobility/access

    No specific mention.

  • Protection measures

    No specific mention.

  • Other

    No specific mention.


Rights institutions

  • NHRI

    No specific mention.

  • Regional or international human rights institutions

    No specific mention.


Justice sector reform

  • Criminal justice and emergency law

    No specific mention.

  • State of emergency provisions

    No specific mention.

  • Judiciary and courts

    No specific mention.

  • Prisons and detention

    No specific mention.

  • Traditional Laws

    No specific mention.


Socio-economic reconstruction

  • Development or socio-economic reconstruction

    No specific mention.

  • National economic plan

    No specific mention.

  • Natural resources

    No specific mention.

  • International funds

    No specific mention.

  • Business

    No specific mention.

  • Taxation

    No specific mention.

  • Banks

    No specific mention.


Land, property and environment

  • Land reform/rights

    No specific mention.

  • Pastoralist/nomadism rights

    No specific mention.

  • Cultural heritage

    No specific mention.

  • Environment

    No specific mention.

  • Water or riparian rights or access

    No specific mention.


Security sector

  • Security Guarantees

    No specific mention.

  • Ceasefire
    Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
    Page 1, Point 6
    The process of creating the National Army will begin with the entry into force of the cease-fire and will be concluded on the date of the elections, under terms to be agreed on between the Government of the People's Republic of Angola and UNITA. The neutrality of the National Army in the electoral process will be guaranteed by the Angolan parties, acting within the framework of CCPM, with the support of the international monitoring group.

    Page 1, Point 7
    Declaration and entry into force of the ceaae-fire throughout Angolan territory, in accordance with the agreement to be concluded on this subject between the Government of the People's Republic of Angola and UNITA,
  • Police

    No specific mention.

  • Armed forces
    Page 1, Point 6
    The process of creating the National Army will begin with the entry into force of the cease-fire and will be concluded on the date of the elections, under terms to be agreed on between the Government of the People's Republic of Angola and UNITA. The neutrality of the National Army in the electoral process will be guaranteed by the Angolan parties, acting within the framework of CCPM, with the support of the international monitoring group.
  • DDR

    No specific mention.

  • Intelligence services

    No specific mention.

  • Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces
    Page 1, Point 1
    Recognition by UNITA of the Angolan State, of President José Eduardo dos Santos and of the Angolan Government until the general elections are held.

    Page 1, Point 2
    At the moment the cease-fire enters into force, UNITA will acquire the right to conduct and freely participate in political activities in accordance with the revised Constitution and the pertinent laws for the creation of a multi-party democracy.

    Page 1, Point 6
    The process of creating the National Army will begin with the entry into force of the cease-fire and will be concluded on the date of the elections, under terms to be agreed on between the Government of the People's Republic of Angola and UNITA. The neutrality of the National Army in the electoral process will be guaranteed by the Angolan parties, acting within the framework of CCPM, with the support of the international monitoring group.
  • Withdrawal of foreign forces

    No specific mention.

  • Corruption

    No specific mention.

  • Crime/organised crime

    No specific mention.

  • Drugs

    No specific mention.

  • Terrorism

    No specific mention.


Transitional justice

  • Transitional justice general

    No specific mention.

  • Amnesty/pardon

    No specific mention.

  • Courts

    No specific mention.

  • Mechanism

    No specific mention.

  • Prisoner release

    No specific mention.

  • Vetting

    No specific mention.

  • Victims

    No specific mention.

  • Missing persons

    No specific mention.

  • Reparations

    No specific mention.

  • Reconciliation

    No specific mention.


Implementation

  • UN signatory

    No specific mention.

  • Other international signatory

    No specific mention.

  • Referendum for agreement

    No specific mention.

  • International mission/force/similar
    Page 2, Annex
    1. The Government of the People's Republic of Angola and UNITA agree to the formation of a Joint Political-Military Commission (CCPM), to be established at Luanda at the time of the signature of the "Fundamental principles tor the establishment of peace in Angola".
    2. CCPM shall be composed of representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of Angola and of UNITA as members, and by representatives of Portugal, the United States, and the Soviet Union as observers. In addition, a representative of the United Nations may be invited to participate in the meetings of CCPM.
    3. It shall be the task of CCPM to see that the peace accords are applied, thereby guaranteeing strict compliance with all political and military understandings, and to make the final decision on possible violations of those accords.
    4. CCPM shall have the authority necessary to approve all the rules relating to its functioning, particularly its own internal regulations. Its decisions will be made by consensus between the Government of the People's Republic of Angola and UNITA.
  • Enforcement mechanism

    No specific mention.

  • Related cases

    No specific mention.

  • Source
    UN Peacemaker http://peacemaker.un.org/node/143

Attachment II

Fundamental principles for the establishment of peace in Angola

Point 1

Recognition by UNITA of the Angolan State, of President

Jose Eduardo dos Santos and of the Angolan Government until the general elections are held.

Point 2

At the moment the cease-fire enters into force, UNITA will acquire the right to conduct and freely participate in political activities in accordance with the revised Constitution and the pertinent laws for the creation of a multi-party democracy.

Point 3

The Angolan Government will hold discussions with all political forces in order to survey their opinions concerning the proposed changes in the Constitution.

The Angolan Government will then work with all the parties to draft the laws that will regulate the electoral process.

Point 4

Free and fair elections for a new Government will take place following voter registration conducted under the supervision of international elections observers, who will remain in Angola until they certify that the elections were free and fair and that the results have been officially announced.

At the time of the signature of the cease-fire, the parties will determine the period within which free and fair elections must be held.

The exact date of said elections will be established through consultation with all political forces in Angola.

Point 5

Respect for human rights and basic freedoms, including the right of free association.

Point 6

The process of creating the National Army will begin with the entry into force of the cease-fire and will be concluded on the date of the elections, under terms to be agreed on between the Government of the People's Republic of Angola and UNITA.

The neutrality of the National Army in the electoral process will be guaranteed by the Angolan parties, acting within the framework of CCPM, with the support of the international monitoring group.

Declaration and entry into force of the cease-fire throughout Angolan territory, in accordance with the agreement to be concluded on this subject between the Government of the People’s Republic of Angola and UNITA.

Annex

l. The Government of the People’s Republic of Angola and UNITA agree to the formation of a Joint Political-Military Commission (CCPM), to be established at Luanda at the time of the signature of the "Fundamental principles for the establishment of peace in Angola" .

2. CCPM shall be composed of representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of Angola and of UNITA as members, and by representatives of Portugal, the United States, and the Soviet Union as observers.

In addition,

a representative of the United Nations may be invited to participate in the meetings of CCPM.

3. It shall be the task of CCPM to see that the peace accords are applied, thereby guaranteeing strict compliance with all political and military understanding s, and to make the final decision on possible violations of those accords,

4. CCPM shall have the authority necessary to approve all the rules relating to its functioning, particularly its own internal regulations.

Its decisions will be made by consensus between the Government of the People's Republic of Angola and UNITA.