KWACHA UNITA PRESS KWACHA UNITA PRESS
THE NATIONAL UNION FOR THE TOTAL INDEPENDENCE OF ANGOLA
UNITA
SECRETARIAT FOR INFORMATION
1999 - Year of Generalised Popular Resistance
PRESS RELEASE
UNITA CALLS ON DOS SANTOS TO STEP DOWN
UNITA Secretary General, Paulo Lukamba Gato, said today that José Eduardo dos Santos is a danger to peace in Angola and the whole region, he must therefore step down from office stating:
"Besides invading the two Congos, Eduardo dos Santos declared death sentence on the UNITA leader and launched a military offensive against Andulo as part of his unlimited ambition for power".
The UNITA Secretary General also made reference to the admissions made by the MPLA of serious military setbacks it has suffered in different parts of the country.
"After twenty years of confusion and misrule, Eduardo dos Santos has been incapable of bringing peace to the country, unite the Angolans and promote economic and social development. Instead, Eduardo dos Santos has transformed the hardworking and dignified people of Angola into a country of beggars and poverty stricken people. For this reason he should admit he is incompetent and give way to Dr. Jonas Savimbi", he added.
"UNITA appeals to the civilian population and non-governmental organisations to abandon the cities under MPLA control, especially Bié/Kuito, Huambo and Malange and go to safe heavens in towns and communes where UNITA is prepared to receive and feed them. It would stop our people acting as human shields for the MPLA troops, given the fact that the military situation is likely to worsen in the coming days", the UNITA Secretary General said.
Bailundo, 24th March 1999
The Secretariat for Information.
THE NATIONAL UNION FOR THE TOTAL INDEPENDENCE OF ANGOLA
UNITA
1999 - Year of Generalised Popular Resistance
PRESS RELEASE
1. At the penultimate meeting of the Episcopal Conference of the Bishops of Angola and Sáo Tome & Principe, the Bishops launched what they called a "National Movement for Peace and Reconciliation" (Pro-Pace). It was established on Sunday, 14th March 1999, and the occasion was celebrated with a solemn Mass.
2. Answering to the appeals made by the Bishops, the Christians of Angola and the Angolans in general supported the initiative as it instilled hope that it would help end the war Eduardo dos Santos is waging against all Angolans represented by UNITA and those who do not support the MPLA.
3. However, the expectations of the Catholics, Christians and all peace loving Angolans were dashed by the immorality of the Acting President of that Conference, the Reverend Zacarias Kamuenyo, the Bishop of Lubango. The Bishop, instead of preaching the word of God for Christian hope, he opted to prove his MPLA militancy. He demanded those condemned to death by Eduardo dos Santos on 5th December 1998, during the MPLA 4th Congress, to do their Christian duty, give themselves up as ordered by the executioner from Sáo Tome & Principe, dos Santos. For the MPLA, the Bishop prayed asking God to help find alternative ways to war.
4. As a deputy to the Angolan National Assembly, I represent thousands of Angolans who elected me. The Archbishop of Lubango, without contesting the methods of the Church I belong to, does not represent any Angolan citizen. The Archbishop Zacarias Kamuenyo, wearing the ceremonial robe of the Catholic Church in Angola and on an obvious campaign for a Cardinal's hat, was very unfortunate. His behaviour was typical of a real bandit. He assumed a position completely anti-Christian, anti-Catholic. It is equal to the behaviour of the emperors of ancient Rome who during their feast threw Christians to the lions.
23rd March 1999
Celestino Mutuyakevela Kapapelo
Deputy to the Angolan National Assembly