Civil war Angola

monument memory of agostinho neto , angolan independence, in luanda

throughout war of independence, 3 rival nationalist movements severely hampered political , military factionalism, inability unite guerrilla efforts against portuguese. between 1961 , 1975 mpla, unita, , fnla competed influence in angolan population , international community. soviet union , cuba became sympathetic towards mpla , supplied party arms, ammunition, funding, , training. backed unita militants until became clear latter @ irreconcilable odds mpla.

the collapse of portugal s estado novo government following 1974 carnation revolution suspended portuguese military activity in africa , brokering of ceasefire pending negotiations angolan independence. encouraged organisation of african unity, holden roberto, jonas savimbi, , mpla chairman agostinho neto met in mombasa in january 1975 , agreed form coalition government. ratified alvor agreement later month, called general elections , set country s independence date 11 november 1975. 3 factions, however, followed on ceasefire taking advantage of gradual portuguese withdrawal seize various strategic positions, acquire more arms, , enlarge militant forces. rapid influx of weapons numerous external sources, soviet union , united states, escalation of tensions between nationalist parties, fueled new outbreak of hostilities. tacit american , zairean support fnla began massing large numbers of troops in northern angola in attempt gain military superiority. meanwhile, mpla began securing control of luanda, traditional ambundu stronghold. sporadic violence broke out in luanda on next few months after fnla attacked mpla forces in march 1975. fighting intensified street clashes in april , may, , unita became involved after on 2 hundred of members massacred mpla contingent june. upswing in soviet arms shipments mpla influenced decision central intelligence agency likewise provide substantial covert aid fnla , unita.

in august 1975, mpla requested direct assistance soviet union in form of ground troops. soviets declined, offering send advisers no troops; however, cuba more forthcoming , in late september dispatched 5 hundred combat personnel angola, along sophisticated weaponry , supplies. independence there on thousand cuban soldiers in country. kept supplied massive airbridge carried out soviet aircraft. persistent buildup of cuban , soviet military aid allowed mpla drive opponents luanda , blunt abortive intervention zairean , south african troops, had deployed in belated attempt assist fnla , unita. fnla largely annihilated, although unita managed withdraw civil officials , militia luanda , seek sanctuary in southern provinces. there, savimbi continued mount determined insurgent campaign against mpla.

an mpla staff car burns after being destroyed in fighting outside novo redondo (present day sumbe) in late 1975.

between 1975 , 1991, mpla implemented economic , political system based on principles of scientific socialism, incorporating central planning , marxist–leninist one-party state. embarked on ambitious programme of nationalisation, , domestic private sector abolished. privately owned enterprises nationalised , incorporated single umbrella of state-owned enterprises known unidades economicas estatais (uee). under mpla, angola experienced significant degree of modern industrialisation. however, corruption , graft increased , public resources either allocated inefficiently or embezzled officials personal enrichment. ruling party survived attempted coup d état maoist-oriented communist organisation of angola (oca) in 1977, suppressed after series of bloody political purges left thousands of oca supporters dead.

the mpla abandoned former marxist ideology @ third party congress in 1990, , declared social democracy new platform. angola subsequently became member of international monetary fund; restrictions on market economy reduced in attempt draw foreign investment. may 1991 reached peace agreement unita, bicesse accords, scheduled new general elections september 1992. when mpla secured major electoral victory, unita objected results of both presidential , legislative vote count , returned war.