Background
Sanctions against the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) were imposed by Security Council resolution 864 (1993) in September 1993. This resolution imposed arms and petroleum embargoes against UNITA and set up a Committee of the Security Council to monitor the implementation of the sanctions.Resolution 1127 (1997) imposed a travel ban on senior members of UNITA and adult members of their immediate families, the closing of UNITA offices, the prohibition of flights of aircraft by or for UNITA, and the supply of any aircraft or aircraft components to UNITA. Some exemptions were established with regard to medical emergencies and flights carrying supplies for essential humanitarian needs, if approved by the Sanctions Committee.
Resolution 1173 (1998) imposed a freeze on the funds of UNITA and of its senior officials and their adult family members, and prohibitions on official contacts with the UNITA leadership (with some exceptions); prohibited direct or indirect import from Angola of all diamonds that are not controlled through the Certificate of Origin of the Government of Angola; and established an embargo for mining and mining services, motorized vehicles, and transportation services.
Resolution 1237 (1999) established a Panel of Experts with a six-month mandate to trace violations in arms trafficking, oil supplies and the diamond trade, as well as the movement of UNITA funds.
Resolution 1295 (2000) requested the Secretary-General to establish a Monitoring Mechanism to collect additional relevant information and investigate leads initiated by the Panel of Experts, and to report to the Committee with a view to improving the implementation of the measures imposed against UNITA. The mandate of the Mechanism has been extended several times, with the last extension on 18 October 2002 for two months ending on 19 December 2002.
The first report of the Monitoring Mechanism was submitted to the Security Council in October 2000 (S/2000/1026), and since then six additional reports (S/2000/1225, S/2001/363 and S/2001/966, S/2002/486, S/2002/1119, S/2002/1339) have been submitted by the Mechanism.
On 17 May 2002 by its resolution 1412 (2002), the Security Council decided to suspend the travel restrictions imposed on UNITA senior officials and adult members of their immediate families, for a period of 90 days commencing on 17 May 2002. By suspending the above travel restrictions, the Security Council recognised the need for the facilitation of travel by UNITA members for the peace process and national reconciliation to advanceOn the 15 August 2002 the Security Council, welcoming the efforts of the National Union for the Independence of Angola (UNITA) to become an active participant in the political process, the Council extended its suspension of travel restrictions it had imposed in 1997 against officials of that rebel group for another 90 days by resolution 1432.
By the adoption of resolution 1448 (2002) on 9 December, the Security Council terminated the sanctions against UNITA, welcoming progress towards peace in Angola. The same resolution also dissolved the Angola Sanctions Committee and closed the United Nations trust Fund that supported the Expert Panel formed to investigate violations of sanctions against UNITA.
