United Nations Security Council Resolution 1221
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1221, adopted unanimously on January 12, 1999, after reaffirming Resolution 696
(1991) and all subsequent resolutions on Angola
, particularly resolutions 1196
(1998) and 1219
(1998), the Council condemned the downing of two commercial planes over UNITA
-controlled territory in Angola and demanded that UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi
co-operate in the search for survivors of the recent plane crashes.
The Security Council expressed outrage at the downing of a second United Nations-chartered aircraft over UNITA-controlled territory on January 2, 1999, which had brought the total number of aircraft lost in recent months to six. There was concern over the fate of the passengers and crew on board the aircraft and the loss of life. It deplored the lack of co-operation by UNITA in clarifying the circumstances of the incidents and in permitting United Nations search and rescue missions; such attacks were unacceptable and unjustifiable.
Acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter
, the Council condemned the suspicious circumstances under which two United Nations chartered aircraft and other commercial aircraft were downed and demanded that all such attacks cease immediately. It reaffirmed its commitment to establishing the truth surrounding all the incidents through an objective international investigation, which UNITA had to co-operate with.
The resolution reiterated that Jonas Savimibi co-operate with the United Nations and in the search for possible survivors after it was concluded he had not complied with Resolution 1219. It welcomed the commitment of the Angolan government to assist in the search and rescue for possible survivors and the International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) was requested to assist in the investigation.
All countries were reminded to comply in the implementation of sanctions against UNITA imposed in resolutions 864
(1993), 1127
(1997) and 1173
(1998), with the Council stating it would deal with violations and consider the imposition of additional measures, including in the area of telecommunication
s. Finally, the Chairman of the Committee established in Resolution 864 was asked to consult with the Organisation of African Unity and the Southern African Development Community
on enforcement of the sanctions.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
1221, adopted unanimously on January 12, 1999, after reaffirming Resolution 696
United Nations Security Council Resolution 696
United Nations Security Council Resolution 696, adopted unanimously on May 30, 1991, after noting the recent desire to sign the Bicesse Accords between the MPLA and UNITA in Angola, the recent withdrawal of all Cuban troops and considering a report by the Secretary-General, the Council approved...
(1991) and all subsequent resolutions on Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
, particularly resolutions 1196
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1196
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1196, adopted unanimously on September 16, 1998, after recalling Resolution 1170 on Africa, the Council discussed the importance of strengthening the effectiveness of arms embargoes in place in several countries across the continent.The Security Council...
(1998) and 1219
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1219
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1219, adopted unanimously on December 31, 1998, after reaffirming Resolution 696 and all subsequent resolutions on Angola, particularly resolutions 1202 and 1213 , the Council condemned the absence of actions to determine the fate of crew and passengers...
(1998), the Council condemned the downing of two commercial planes over UNITA
UNITA
The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola is the second-largest political party in Angola. Founded in 1966, UNITA fought with the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola in the Angolan War for Independence and then against the MPLA in the ensuing civil war .The war was one...
-controlled territory in Angola and demanded that UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi
Jonas Savimbi
Jonas Malheiro Savimbi was an Angolan political leader. He founded and led UNITA, a movement that first waged a guerrilla war against Portuguese colonial rule, 1966–1974, then confronted the rival MPLA during the decolonization conflict, 1974/75, and after independence in 1975 fought the ruling...
co-operate in the search for survivors of the recent plane crashes.
The Security Council expressed outrage at the downing of a second United Nations-chartered aircraft over UNITA-controlled territory on January 2, 1999, which had brought the total number of aircraft lost in recent months to six. There was concern over the fate of the passengers and crew on board the aircraft and the loss of life. It deplored the lack of co-operation by UNITA in clarifying the circumstances of the incidents and in permitting United Nations search and rescue missions; such attacks were unacceptable and unjustifiable.
Acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter
Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter
Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter sets out the UN Security Council's powers to maintain peace. It allows the Council to "determine the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression" and to take military and nonmilitary action to "restore international peace...
, the Council condemned the suspicious circumstances under which two United Nations chartered aircraft and other commercial aircraft were downed and demanded that all such attacks cease immediately. It reaffirmed its commitment to establishing the truth surrounding all the incidents through an objective international investigation, which UNITA had to co-operate with.
The resolution reiterated that Jonas Savimibi co-operate with the United Nations and in the search for possible survivors after it was concluded he had not complied with Resolution 1219. It welcomed the commitment of the Angolan government to assist in the search and rescue for possible survivors and the International Civil Aviation Organization
International Civil Aviation Organization
The International Civil Aviation Organization , pronounced , , is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth...
(ICAO) was requested to assist in the investigation.
All countries were reminded to comply in the implementation of sanctions against UNITA imposed in resolutions 864
United Nations Security Council Resolution 864
United Nations Security Council Resolution 864, adopted unanimously on September 15, 1993, after reaffirming resolutions 696 , 747 , 785 , 793 , 804 , 811 , 823 , 834 and 851 , the Council noted the continuing situation in Angola and went on to condemn and place international sanctions on...
(1993), 1127
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1127
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1127, adopted unanimously on August 28, 1997, after reaffirming Resolution 696 and all subsequent resolutions on Angola, the Council, acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, imposed sanctions on UNITA following the lack of compliance in...
(1997) and 1173
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1173
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1173, adopted unanimously on June 12, 1998, after reaffirming Resolution 696 and all subsequent resolutions on Angola, particularly Resolution 1127 , the Council announced its intention to impose further sanctions against UNITA for non-compliance, unless...
(1998), with the Council stating it would deal with violations and consider the imposition of additional measures, including in the area of telecommunication
Telecommunication
Telecommunication is the transmission of information over significant distances to communicate. In earlier times, telecommunications involved the use of visual signals, such as beacons, smoke signals, semaphore telegraphs, signal flags, and optical heliographs, or audio messages via coded...
s. Finally, the Chairman of the Committee established in Resolution 864 was asked to consult with the Organisation of African Unity and the Southern African Development Community
Southern African Development Community
The Southern African Development Community is an inter-governmental organization headquartered in Gaborone, Botswana. Its goal is to further socio-economic cooperation and integration as well as political and security cooperation among 15 southern African states...
on enforcement of the sanctions.
See also
- Angolan Civil WarAngolan Civil WarThe Angolan Civil War was a major civil conflict in the Southern African state of Angola, beginning in 1975 and continuing, with some interludes, until 2002. The war began immediately after Angola became independent from Portugal in November 1975. Prior to this, a decolonisation conflict had taken...
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1201 to 1300 (1998–2000)