Angolan War Of Independence: The Angola Civil War For Independence, 1974-1976
Angolan War Of Independence
The Complete History of the Angolan War Of Independence. The military took over Portugal’s government on April 25, 1974. This was followed by more political action by organized Africans in Portugal’s colonies, which led to the military taking over Portugal’s government. On the other hand, Angola’s natural riches, most notably its oil and diamonds, have drawn the attention of actors from outside the country. At some point in the future, the Angolan civil war will be seen as a miniature version of the Cold War by the media throughout the world.
After the coup, Holden Roberto, the head of the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA), who was living in exile in Zaire at the time, put together an army with the assistance of Chinese and Zairian instructors. Under the leadership of Jonas Savimbi, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) quickly distanced itself from Maoist rhetoric and created avenues of dialogue with the Portuguese government. The socialist Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Agostinho Neto, was taken aback by the coup that took place in April and was plagued by factionalism.
By September of 1974, the MPLA had already been divided into three distinct groups. The Eastern Revolt, led by Daniel Chipenda, was responsible for opening lines of contact with both the FNLA and UNITA. A cease-fire deal had been approved by UNITA with the Portuguese approximately two months prior. By the end of October, both the MPLA, which was commanded by Neto, and the FNLA had reached an agreement with the colonial authorities.
The MPLA was compelled to make a request for help from the government of Cuba as a result of the defection of Chipenda. The Soviet Union started providing support for the MPLA through the OAU Liberation Committee in the month of November. This was in part a response to the aid that China was providing to the FNLA.
An accord promising peaceful collaboration, the promotion of national reconstruction, and the maintenance of Angola’s “territorial integrity” was signed on January 3, 1975 in Mombasa by Neto, Savimbi, and Roberto. The deal was signed on January 3, 1975. After another two weeks had passed, the three parties finally signed the Alvor Agreement. The accord stated that Cabinda, the region of Angola that had the oilfields and which had been the focus of an independence movement, was “an inalienable component portion of Angola.”
Independence was declared to take place on November 11, 1975, and it was acknowledged that the MPLA, the FNLA, and UNITA were “the sole legal representatives of the people of Angola.” In addition, the agreement established a coalition government composed of the three parties. With the help of the high commissioner general, this administration was given the job of setting up parliamentary elections and writing a temporary constitution.
The goal of American involvement in Angola was to establish a functioning government through the Alvor process. At the tail end of January 1975, the anticommunist FNLA received clandestine funding of $300,000 from the United States of America. The city of Luanda was rocked by fighting, and Chipenda publicly allied with the FNLA during this time. As a direct result of the US involvement, the Soviet Union increased the amount of weapons it sent to the MPLA.
During this time, UNITA was attempting to strengthen its foothold in the central highlands, while Savimbi was searching for financial support in other countries. In the month of June, the three heads of state met for discussions in Kenya, which were presided over by Jomo Kenyatta. The MPLA were able to drive the FNLA out of Luanda, which allowed them to maintain control over the northern areas of Angola. The FNLA worked closely with Portuguese members of the right-wing.
Concern was expressed by the American government over the military advancements made by the MPLA, which at this point were linked to communists working within the Portuguese state. The United States government increased funding for both the FNLA and UNITA on July 17th.
At the same time, positions were being taken up by the South African army along the border between Angola and Namibia. The South African military conducted a series of incursions into Angolan territory under the pretext of hunting out rebels affiliated with the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO).
The MPLA made an effort to raise awareness of these measures, but their efforts were fruitless. While the FNLA and UNITA waited for the weapons that were sponsored by the United States to arrive, they contacted South Africa in an effort to receive assistance. On September 21, 1975, authorities from South Africa came to Silva Porto in order to assist UNITA in their conflict with the MPLA.
Operation Zulu was initiated by the South African army on October 14, and it consisted of an armored force that was assisted by helicopter gunships. This force moved quickly up the coast of Angola, pushing the MPLA army away as it went. The MPLA were surrounded on all sides when they were in Luanda. While the FNLA made preparations for an attack in the north, UNITA and South African forces were establishing themselves as the dominant forces in the south. Cuba and the Soviet Union both responded swiftly to assist the MPLA in its efforts. The airlift of Cuban combat forces began on November 7, when “Operation Carlota” was started.
Within a few days, the tide of battle began to swing in favor of the MPLA. Angola’s Portuguese government evacuated the country on November 11, the same day that Angola declared its independence. The People’s Liberation Army of Angola (MPLA) promptly made an announcement on the establishment of the People’s Republic of Angola. As a direct response, the FNLA and UNITA came together to form a coalition that would later become known as the “Democratic People’s Republic of Angola.”
As of the 22nd of November, when the population was made aware of the involvement of South Africa, support for UNITA began to decrease. On November 27, Nigeria acknowledged the MPLA administration and extended an offer of financial assistance to them as a sign of their support. The attempt made by Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to give further funding to the FNLA-UNITA alliance in the United States was unsuccessful due to opposition from the Senate. The Tunney-Clark amendment, which was passed on December 18, prevented any more covert assistance.
The number of Cuban reinforcements that were sent to Angola continued to rise. After Chipenda’s faction of the FNLA was routed in the north, the remaining members of the FNLA in the south gave up any pretense of organized battle. The Chipenda FNLA and UNITA eventually engaged in combat with one another, which resulted in the initiation of a battle within a war. The inability of the OAU to give majority support for either a condemnation of the Cuban intervention or a tripartite political settlement was the ultimate blow that was dealt to the forces that were fighting against the MPLA.
On January 22, 1976, South African forces started pulling out of Angola. They had been there since 1975. Late in the month of February, the MPLA-Cuban army announced their victory over UNITA. By the middle of 1976, the MPLA had solidified its position as the party that led the government of Angola. Holden Roberto and UNITA had retreated to their previous positions as insurgents, while Jonas Savimbi and UNITA had gone back to their exile in Zaire. Savimbi, on the other hand, managed to keep in touch with members of the South African military, connections that would later be used to cause trouble in Angola.