SG/SM/8138
AFR/383
26 February 2002

SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS ON PARTIES TO ANGOLA
CONFLICT TO AGREE TO IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE,
RETURN TO PEACE PROCESS

NEW YORK, 25 February (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General has received from the Government of Angola formal notification of the death of Jonas Malheiro Savimbi, President of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), on Friday 22 February 2002.

The Secretary-General calls upon the parties to the Angolan conflict, in particular members of UNITA, to agree to an immediate cessation of hostilities and to contribute to a resumption of the peace process on the basis of the Lusaka Protocol. All concerned should do their utmost to use the new and changed circumstances to advance the cause of peace and reconciliation in Angola.

The Secretary-General and the United Nations system will continue their efforts in support of a peaceful resolution and a political settlement of the conflict that has brought so much suffering to the people of Angola.

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