National Union for the Total Independence of Angola
The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola is the second-largest political party in Angola. Founded in 1966, UNITA fought with the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) in the Angolan War for Independence (1961–1975) and then against the MPLA in the ensuing Angolan Civil War (1975–2002).
The war was one of the most prominent Cold War proxy war's, with UNITA receiving military aid from the United States and South Africa while the MPLA received support from the Soviet Union and its allies.[1]
From its foundation until his death in 2002, UNITA was led by Jonas Savimbi. His successor as President of UNITA is Isaías Samakuva. Following Savimbi's death, UNITA abandoned armed struggle and participated in electoral politics. The party won 16 out of 220 seats in the Angolan parliamentary election, 2008.
Foreign support
UNITA received support from the governments of Bulgaria,[2]Egypt, France, Israel, Morocco, the People's Republic of China, North Korea (although North Korea later recognized the MPLA government), Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the United States, Zaire,[3] and Zambia.[4][5]
External links
Notes
- ↑ BBC News,Obituary: Jonas Savimbi, Unita's local boy, BBC News 25-February-2002, Accessed 11-September-2009
- ↑ Herbert M. (2004), Ambiguous Order: Military Forces In African States PP:81
- ↑ Beit-Hallahmi Benjamin, (1988), The Israeli Connection: Whom Israel Arms and Why, PP65
- ↑ AlʻAmin Mazrui Ali, (1977), The Warrior Tradition in Modern Africa, PP228
- ↑ John Stockwell, 1975, Angola: Mercenaries, Murder and Corruption, Coalition to Oppose the Arms Trade, 1991, Accessed 11-September-2009
