Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LUANDA740
2006-07-19 14:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Luanda
Cable title:  

ANGOLA - SECOND, "DEFINITIVE" CEASE-FIRE SIGNED IN

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM PTER AO 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4127
RR RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHLU #0740/01 2001417
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 191417Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY LUANDA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3069
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LUANDA 000740 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PTER AO
SUBJECT: ANGOLA - SECOND, "DEFINITIVE" CEASE-FIRE SIGNED IN
CABINDA

REF: A. LUANDA 00736


B. LUANDA 00196

C. LUANDA 00710

Classified By: AMBASSADOR CYNTHIA EFIRD FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)

Summary
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LUANDA 000740

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PTER AO
SUBJECT: ANGOLA - SECOND, "DEFINITIVE" CEASE-FIRE SIGNED IN
CABINDA

REF: A. LUANDA 00736


B. LUANDA 00196

C. LUANDA 00710

Classified By: AMBASSADOR CYNTHIA EFIRD FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)

Summary
--------------


1. (C) GRA and Cabinda Forum for Dialogue (FCD) military
representatives signed the second and "definitive" cease-fire
agreement on July 18, 2006 in Macabi, Cabinda province.
While some of those opposed continue to publicly attack the
peace accord, including a call by some Front for the
Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) members for a
referendum on Cabindan independence, outspoken FLEC President
Nzita Tiago's son, Antonio Nzita Mbemba, was present as an
observer at the negotiations in Brazzaville and at the
ceremony in Cabinda. During a July 17-19 visit to Cabinda,
EmbOff noted a "wait and see" attitude from the Cabindan
people. While Cabindans are excited by the prospects of
peace, it is results, such as infrastructure developments and
a reduced military presence, that are more important to them
than the actual accord. End Summary.

Final Cease-Fire Signed
--------------


2. (U) On July 18, 2006, General Sachipengo Nunda, Deputy
Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Angola (FAA),and
General Mauricio Zulo, representing the military forces under
the authority of the FCD, signed the second and "definitive"
cease-fire in Macabi, Cabinda province (ref A). Witnesses to
the signing were Minister of Territorial Administration
Virgilio de Fontes Pereira, on behalf of the GRA, and
President of the FCD Antonio Bento Bembe, on behalf of the
FCD.

Opposition to the Accord Weakening?
--------------


3. (U) Also present at the signing ceremony was Antonio
Nzita Mbemba, son of the FLEC President Nzita Tiago and
Executive Secretary of the FCD (ref B). Given Tiago's
opposition to Bembe's negotiations with the GRA, local press
questioned Mbemba about his presence. In carefully chosen
words, Mbemba said that he had been invited by friends "to
observe" the negotiations in Brazzaville and the signing

ceremony. When asked by reporters if he had his father's
authorization to go to Brazzaville and Cabinda, he stated
that his father knew where he was and that if the
negotiations appeared serious his father may rethink his
position. (Note: Both father and son currently live in
France. End Note.)


4. (U) Others opposed to the accord have stayed the course.
Mplabanda and Father Tati continue to deny that the
negotiations and the Memorandum of Understanding have
legitimacy without the involvement of the Catholic Church and
civil society (ref C). Various members of FLEC upset by the
accord called on the GRA to hold a referendum on Cabindan
independence. In a July 15, 2006 Lusa article, FLEC's
Director of External Relations Joel Batila said that the
Cabindan peace accord was a "game" and that given the human
rights abuses in Cabinda this peace process should not be
handled by the GRA, but by the United Nations, the African
Union, and the international community.

"Wait and See" Attitude
--------------


5. (U) A previously scheduled July 17-19, 2006 EmbOff visit
to Cabinda focused on economic issues (septel) allowed the
Embassy some on-the-ground insight. Cabinda city, the
capital of the province, was covered in GRA billboards and
banners proclaiming peace, reconstruction, and development.
Most Cabindans, while excited about the possibility of peace,
questioned the GRA willingness to carry out the promises in
the accord. Many of them specifically mentioned that
results, such as the building of a new port or the reduction
of military forces, were more important than the actual
accord. Recent Radio Ecclesia commentary also noted that
while the youth of Cabinda were excited, older generations
remained skeptical.

Comment - Cabindans Want Results, not Rhetoric
-------------- -


6. (C) Given the decision to hold the official signing of the
Memorandum of Understanding in Namibe province, this ceremony
publicly placed Cabinda as home to one of the three major
signings. The attitude of the average Cabindan seems to be

LUANDA 00000740 002 OF 002


less concerned who was involved in the peace process,
contrary to assertions by those opposing the accord, and more
concerned that the GRA fulfills its end of the bargain. For
Cabindans, the economic development of Cabinda is central to
ensuring the long-term viability of this accord. The GRA
will continue to court those still in opposition. Tiago's
decision to allow his son, Mbemba, to observe negotiations,
which Tiago had previously denied existed, indicates that
Tiago wants to make sure he can still be a part of the deal.


7. (C) Comment continued: No date has been set for the
official signing ceremony. On July 17, 2006, President dos
Santos attended the Community of Portuguese-Speaking
Countries (CLCP) Summit in Guinea Bissau and is now on
holidays in Spain, where he will have his annual
ophthalmology appointment. According to the Czech Charge
d'Affaires, dos Santos will then go to the Czech Republic for
routine dental work. The ceremony will likely not take place
until his return. End Comment.
EFIRD