Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to UNITA

President Bush continued for one year the national emergency declared in 1993 regarding UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola), maintaining sanctions including arms and petroleum embargoes, closure of UNITA offices in the U.S., asset blocking, and diamond import restrictions. The continuation was based on ongoing international obligations and concerns that ending sanctions would harm peace prospects in Angola.

Federal Register Open PDF 67 FR 60105

Impact dates

Sep 26, 2003
Continued national emergency expires unless renewed again

Key directives

Continue national emergency declared September 26, 1993 for 1 year
Maintain prohibition on sale/supply of arms, related materiel, petroleum, and petroleum products to Angola territory except through designated points of entry
Maintain prohibition on sale/supply of such commodities to UNITA
Continue closure of all UNITA offices in the United States
Continue blocking of all property and interests in property of UNITA and designated UNITA officials and adult members of their immediate families
Continue prohibition on importation of certain diamonds exported from Angola
Continue additional sanctions on provision of mining and transportation equipment and services

Timeline

Immediate

Sanctions continue without interruption beyond September 26, 2002

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

Emergency subject to annual renewal review under National Emergencies Act

Risks & tensions

Document predates 2002 Angolan peace agreement (April 2002); tension between continued sanctions and evolving peace process
No explicit assessment of whether UNITA still constitutes 'unusual and extraordinary threat' at time of renewal