Angola exports peace

Angola is set to commit troops to UN peacekeeping missions - less than two years after the MPLA and UNITA signed a deal to end Angola’s 27 year old civil war.

The country’s ambassador to South Africa, Isaac Maria dos Anjos, told IRIN that Angola was already training soldiers for the purpose, and the government was expected to make an announcement in June/July this year.

“Our philosophy behind the decision is to integrate the [ruling party] MPLA and the former UNITA rebel soldiers, using the peacekeeping missions to create a sense of patriotism in the army,” he said.

This really is a novel way of integrating the armies of two former sworn enemies. The pressures of a real-life mission will force former MPLA and UNITA members to work together in a way they never would if they remained in their barracks. If it comes off, it could provide an interesting model for other post-conflict states to follow.

And the UN is unlikely to refuse this offer of help. As the article goes on to point out, as a consequence of nearly three decades of war…