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UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

ANGOLA: UNITA welcomes vocational training for ex-soldiers

JOHANNESBURG, 31 March 2003 (IRIN) - Angola's former rebel movement UNITA on Monday welcomed an announcement that 650 former soldiers would receive vocational training in the coming weeks.

"This is very good news and is a sign that we are finally getting somewhere. Most of these men only know life as guerrilla fighters. In most cases many of them did not finish their school, and have no work experience or training. This vocational training will at least give them a chance to learn how to work among civilians," UNITA secretary for foreign affairs, Alcides Sakala, told IRIN.

The ex-combatants selected to participate in the programme are from the northern Kwanza-Norte province, and will be trained in carpentry, mechanics and civil construction, as part of the reintegration process for demobilised soldiers.

Since the end of the civil war last year UNITA has raised concerns over the government's commitment to assisting thousands of ex-combatants. Under the peace agreement signed between UNITA and the government in April 2002, demobilised UNITA soldiers should receive professional training to enable their reintegration into civilian life.

The two-year, US $55-million programme is intended to benefit 70,000 ex-UNITA soldiers, training them to become nurses, teachers, electricians, carpenters, bricklayers, blacksmiths, and plumbers.

But while the former rebel movement was positive about recent developments it was also concerned about the plight of thousands of UNITA health professionals and teachers who had yet to receive confirmation from the government if they would be integrated into the country's health and education system.

"At the end of the war UNITA gave the names of almost 7,000 UNITA professionals to the government for consideration. The majority of these people have not heard anything yet, and it's been nearly a year since we sent the list. This has been very frustrating, especially because there is a serious lack of teachers and doctors across the country. These people really could contribute to rebuilding Angola's infrastructure," UNITA social affairs secretary, Carlos Morgado, said.

Angola's basic indicators remain the worst in the world. The mortality rate for children aged under five is reported to be almost 30 percent. Less than half of all children go to school.

Themes: (IRIN) Conflict

[ENDS]

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