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| Week of Action 2005 in Angola |
'Angola free of arms, secure and prosperous' , a campaign with widespread support |
Week of Action activities in Angola were carried out under the theme “Angola free of arms, secure and prosperous”, with two conferences and several media activities in the Capital city of Luanda and in the Bié province.
The issues discussed at the conferences were:
1. Angola in post conflict context
2. The need for Arms Control and an Arms Trade Treaty
3. Women and armed violence
4. The necessity for civilian disarmament in Angola.
5. Collecting signatures for the Million Faces petition for an Arms Trade Treaty
The first conference was held in Kuito-Bié on 10 June attended by the Deputy Governor António da Costa who made the key note address. “Arms control is a priority of this government because it will ensure the security of the country and its neighbours and will boost the confidence of local and international investors”, he said. Lieutenant General Felisberto Njele of Centro dos Estudos Estratégicos de Angola presented a paper on ‘the necessity for civilian disarmament in Angola’. Brigadier Justino Morais of ANDA and Mr. Matias Capapelo, Executive Director of Angola 2000, co-presented a paper on ‘The need for Arms Control and an Arms Trade Treaty.
The 210 participants at the conference represented government officials, army and police officers, political party leaders, traditional and church leaders, representatives of leading local and international NGOs, academics, students and the general public.
The conference was also held in Andulo-Bié and Luanda. Municipal Administrator Lúcia Chipeca in her key note address said, “Angola is on track in the fight against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, because immediately after the ceasefire the government started the process of arms control and disarmament of ex combatants and civil population”. Dr Cecilia da Costa (Angola2000), made a presentation on women and armed violence and Dr Joaquin Trindade (Angola2000), presented on ‘Angola in post conflict context. Among the participants were government officials and a representative from the President’s office. |
Matias Capapelo (Angola2000) being interviewed in Andulo-Bié |
Angola2000 activities received local and international media coverage. Radio Nacional De Angola in Bié broadcast the activities in Kuito and Andulo on all of its news bulletins on June 9, 10, 11, 13 and 14. There was also coverage by private radio stations Luanda Antena Comercial (LAC) and Radio Ecclesia and on television - TPA and channel 2. The only daily newspaper in the country had full-page coverage on its 14 June edition. Voice of America conducted an interview with Mr. Cirilo Mbonge, Secretary General of Angola2000 on 13 June. The government’s online journal ANGOP had two articles published under the titles:
1. Women are the main victims of armed conflicts
2. NGO promotes conference on disarmament of the civil population
These articles were also published on Angonoticias (online).
On 23 June the Halo Trust demonstrated the Hydraulic machine that destroys guns to the government, local embassy representatives and to Angola2000. The demonstration took place at the police school 2 in Capolo, in Luanda-Angola. Matias Capapelo (Angola2000) was appointed as the sole attendee to sign for the 20 weapons that were destroyed.
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