Angola's civil war resumed in November or December 1998, after the collapse of the 1994 Lusaka peace pact (AFP 28 Sept. 1999; AP 28 Sept. 1999; AP 14 May 1999). In December 1998 and one other time, government (MPLA) forces attacked the UNITA base at Bailundo, 480 kilometres southeast of Luanda, but both times were driven back with heavy losses (ibid.; ibid. 28 Sept. 1999). On 14 September 1999 government forces launched a major offensive, backed by heavy artillery attacks and air strikes, against UNITA positions in Bailundo (AFP 20 Oct. 1999; ibid. 28 Sept. 1999). On 28 September 1999 the Portuguese daily Jornal de Noticias reported that advance units of the Angolan army had entered Bailundo (ibid.). As late as 13 October 1999 UNITA denied that Bailundo had fallen to government forces (ibid.; APIC 30 Oct. 1999), but following a 20 October 1999 formal government announcement admitted the town had been taken (ibid.; AFP 20 Oct. 1999). An 8 December 1999 PANA report indicates the town was still under government control at year end.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Africa Policy Information Center (APIC), Washington, DC. 30 October 1999. "Angola: UNITA Concedes Loss of Andulo and Bailundo." (Africa News/NEXIS)

Agence France Presse (AFP). 20 October 1999. Manuel Muanza. "Angolan Government Takes Rebel Central Strongholds." (NEXIS)

_____. 28 September 1999. "Angolan Army Enters UNITA Stronghold Bailundo: Report." (NEXIS)

The Associated Press (AP). 28 September 1999. Casimiro Siona. "Angolan Rebels Deny Reports Their Stronghold Has Fallen." (NEXIS)

_____. 14 May 1999. Casimiro Siona. "Angolan Army Prepares Major Offensive Against Rebels." (NEXIS)

Panafrican News Agency (PANA). 8 December 1999. "Angola: Close to 200 TB Cases in Huambo." (Africa News/NEXIS)