When Superpowers Played Chess with Angolan Lives.

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Disclaimer:  This image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes and does not depict real people or events directly.


After gaining independence in 1975, Angola became one of the most violent and long-lasting war zones in Africa. 

But this was no ordinary civil war, it became part of the global Cold War fight between the United States (capitalism) and the Soviet Union (communism).


What Was the Cold War?

The Cold War was not a direct war between the USA and the Soviet Union, but a political and military struggle where each side tried to spread its own system of government:

  • USA supported capitalism (free economy, and democracy).

  • Soviet Union supported communism (government controls economy, and  one-party rule).

Instead of fighting each other directly, they supported different sides in smaller wars around the world, Angola was one of those places.


Angola’s Independence and Internal Conflict.

When Portugal left Angola in 1975, three groups fought to control the new country:

1. MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola):

  • Based in the capital, Luanda.

  • Supported by the Soviet Union and Cuba.

2. FNLA (National Front for the Liberation of Angola):

  • Supported by Zaire (now DR Congo) and the USA.

3. UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola):

  • Led by Jonas Savimbi.

  • Supported by the USA and apartheid South Africa.

This began as a civil war, but with foreign countries getting involved, it became much bigger.


Jonas Savimbi: The Rebel Leader

Jonas Savimbi was a well-educated and powerful speaker.

He created UNITA in 1966, saying he wanted to fight for freedom.

During the Cold War, he gained support from the United States by saying he was fighting against communism.

He also got help from South Africa, which didn’t want a communist neighbor.

Savimbi used foreign weapons and money to continue fighting the MPLA government for years.

Although he said he supported democracy, he ruled UNITA like a dictator, using fear and violence to stay in control.


A Proxy War in Africa

This war in Angola became a "proxy war", where foreign countries fought through local groups instead of fighting each other directly.

  • MPLA had thousands of Cuban troops and Soviet weapons.
  • UNITA had support from the CIA, and military help from South Africa.
  • Angola was rich in oil and diamonds, which helped both sides fund their armies.


The Human Cost.

  • More than 500,000 people died.

  • Over 4 million people were displaced (forced to leave their homes).

  • Schools, hospitals, and farms were destroyed.

The war lasted 27 years (1975–2002).


The End of Savimbi and the War

After the Cold War ended in the early 1990s, many countries stopped supporting the conflict.

But Savimbi kept fighting, until he was killed in 2002 by government forces.

After his death, UNITA agreed to peace, and the long war finally came to an end.


Conclusion

The war in Angola was not just about local groups fighting each other. It became part of a bigger fight between the USA and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. This made the war last a long time and caused a lot of pain for the people of Angola. 

Even after the Cold War ended, the fighting went on until 2002. Now, Angola is working to recover from all the damage. This story shows how big world events can affect ordinary people’s lives.


Related topics:

African Nationalism and Decolonization

https://historyforumtz.blogspot.com/2020/05/nationalism-and-decolonization-process.html

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