AFRICA/ANGOLA - Peace process in Cabinda enclave starts with disarmament and incorporation in regular army of former rebels

Luanda (Fides Service) - Concrete steps in the Cabinda peace process included the destruction in early January of weapons belonging to the FLEC (Cabinda Liberation Front fighting for independence from Angola).
The destruction was overseen by Virgílio de Fontes Pereira Coordinator of the joint commission for the implementation of the peace agreement Memorandum.
According to the President Cabinda Forum for Dialogue (FCD), Bento Bembe, the destruction of this first arsenal, an act which marks the end of the Cabinda civil war, is an example and a lesson for Africa and the rest of the world and it shows that Angolans are able to solve their problems without outside help.
The peace process also includes the insertion of FLEC militia into the regular army and other state organisations under the responsibility of the Cabinda Forum for Dialogue which selected the elements for incorporation into the army and police force.
Virgílio de Fontes Pereira said the joint Commission must outline a general plan for social integration of people excluded from the process of military integration. “The path to peace is still ong. The joint Commission must integrate those excluded from the process of incorporation and repatriate to Cabinda” he said.
According to the Joint Commission another important element is to help the people “feel the effects of peace with concrete government measures to improve general living conditions”.
The peace agreement, signed in Namibia on 1st August 2006 put an end to 30 years of conflict. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 11/1/2007 righe 30 parole 329)