United Nations Security Council Resolution 577 was adopted unanimously on 6 December 1985 during the 2,631st meeting of the Security Council. The resolution was passed in response to continued military incursions by South Africa into the territory of the People's Republic of Angola, carried out through the occupied territory of South West Africa (present-day Namibia).
The resolution reaffirmed the earlier Resolution 571 (1985) and endorsed a report by the Security Council Commission of Investigation that had been established under that resolution. It condemned the South African regime for its continued and unprovoked attacks against Angola.
Key provisions of the resolution included:
- Demanding that South Africa withdraw all its troops from Angolan territory.
- Calling for respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Angola.
- Reaffirming Angola's right to claim compensation from South Africa for the loss of life and damage to property resulting from the attacks.
- Urgently requesting Member States and international organizations to assist in the reconstruction of Angola's economic infrastructure.
- Requiring the Secretary-General to submit a report on the implementation of the resolution no later than 30 June 1986.
Voting summary: The resolution was adopted with 15 votes in favor, none against, and no abstentions.
Background context: The resolution was part of a series of UN Security Council actions addressing the South African Border War and the broader conflict involving apartheid-era South Africa's destabilization of neighboring states. South Africa, at the time, administered South West Africa (Namibia) in defiance of UN resolutions and used that territory as a staging ground for operations against Angolan forces, including the People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola (FAPLA), which were supported by Cuba.
