Comment

Comment by All-Party Group Conflict Issues on June 4, 2011 at 3:01am

Thanks for your contributions, Tim and Bartolomeu.

Comment by Bartolomeu Capita on May 31, 2011 at 5:17pm

 

With regard to UK government policy In the area of Conflict Prevention, we justly claim there is a gap that needs to be bridged, particularly in Sub-saharan Africa. Indeed, the UK government could have prevented the so bloody conflict between Cabinda and Angola that is going on since 1975. The UK is, ever since the ending of the 17th century, well aware of the fact that Cabinda has always been a political flashpoint between the European imperialist powers. Furthermore, the UK is a United Nations member State that is well placed to bear witness to the signing of the 1885 International Protectorate Treaty between Cabinda and Portugal.

 

Instead of doing its best to prevent Angola's belligerent occupation of Cabinda in 1975 and ensuing maintenance by force of colonial domination, which entail the most serious crimes of international concern as referred to in the Rome Statute, UK government contents itself with the policy that simply consists in keeping a very regrettable low profile. Though, we have long since proved that as long as Cabinda is under Angola's colonial rule, the environment for democracy, human rights defenders and the media environment will continue to be restricted in the entire Sub-saharan Africa. For how long is UK government going to tolerate Angola's war on the United Nations ideal of universal peace, which in fact the war Angola is ferociously waging on Cabinda people's legitimate right to self-determination and independence?

 

UK International Legal Obligations

 

Our Call to Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II

 

Angola's International Crimes in Cabinda

 

The Fondation for Defense of Democracies' View

 

In advance, thank you very much for your time and help in this matter.

 

Bartolomeu Capita

Chairman, Cabindan National Movement

Comment by Tim Symonds on May 31, 2011 at 4:33pm

The British Government has been talking the talk recently on peacebuilding and has brought in a UNSCR1325 National Action Plan, one of only 25 member states of the UN to do so, albeit without time-lines, sanctions or penalties (or any worthwhile funding). The Government is committed to ring-fencing overseas aid, which is to be applauded in these times of cut-backs.  What we need to see, however, is serious funding going into peacebuilding and, on my particular topic, the inclusion of far more women at the negotiating tables.  Like every other UN Member State, the UK's record so far on insisting on the letter and spirit of UNSCR1325 has been extremely poor.  Mid-term mark: could do a lot lot better.