Why did Bicesse and Lusaka fail? A critical analysis Christine Messiant (2004) The Bicesse (1991) and Lusaka (1994) peace agreements, though supported by the international community, failed to end the conflict in Angola. In examining the inter-play of the interests of domestic forces and the international community, Christine Messiant reasons that neither combatant side (or their international backers) envisioned the processes as a means to peace but rather as a means to acquiring state power. This was reflected in the failure of the ill-conceived democratization process at the beginning of the 1990s and the hollow Government of National Unity and Reconciliation. The international community increasing invested the MPLA government with legitimacy and support, helping to bring about the end of the conflict but also further entrenching undemocratic government and state corruption at the expense of the civilian population.
|