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Conclusion

This is a period of great hope in Angola.  As they cross the border into Angola, bumping along ruined roads in crowded trucks, refugees often sing songs of celebration, thrilled to finally be coming home.  Men who have known nothing but years—even decades—of combat are content to be tilling the land and learning new trades.  Families accustomed to fleeing violence and deprivation are eager to put down roots and look forward to sending their children off to school, not war. 

The government of Angola and international community should not let this moment pass.  By meeting its obligations to assist and protect returnees, the government will give this huge segment of the population an opportunity to rebuild their lives and lay the foundation for a peaceful and stable Angola.  The international community must continue to press the government to spend its revenues for the benefit of its citizens, and maintain an adequate presence in Angola to ensure that the human rights of returnees are respected.  It must also prevent Angolans from falling into the “emergency-to-development gap.” 

As the anticipated 2006 elections approach, Angola cannot afford to let some four million returnees sink from hope to despair.  Failure to reintegrate former IDPs, returning refugees and ex-combatants will create resentment and grievance that could flare into crime and conflict within communities.  The government has recognized its responsibilities to returnees by passing the Norms before the war even ended.  Now is the time to fulfill those responsibilities.