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The Civil War in Angola began as a bid for independence from Portugese colonial rule. Portuguese colonists arrived in Angola in 1483. By the 18th century, Angola had become a major slave trading post for Portugal. In 1961, two local factions, the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), and the National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA), developed a nationalist movement, initiating a guerilla war.
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Portuguese colonial rule ends in Angola after a coup removes the government in Portugal.
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South Africa deploys troops to Angola in support of one former liberation movement, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). The nation of Zaire sends support to the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA) in attempt to ensure a pro-Kinshasa government. With South Africa's military assistance, UNITA manages to capture five provincial capitals.
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Immediately following Angola's independence, civil war broke out. The civil war was a bid for control over Angola's newly independent government between two former liberation movements, the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). Though the MPLA and the UNITA shared the common goal of independence from Portugal, the two factions differed greatly in terms of leadership and societal values.
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The FNLA and UNITA establish a coalition government based in the province of Huambo. Holden Roberto and Jonas Savimbi are both named as presidents.
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By the end of 1975, the Cuban military amassed upwards of 25,000 troops in Angola. Cuba's support of the MPLA government against UNITA further established the Angolan Civil War as a proxy war in the greater global Cold War. Cuban forces remained in Angola to support the MPLA even after Zaire and South Africa withdrew from Angola.
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When the United States fails to provide support, South Africa withdraws its troops from Angola. UNITA, with support from the FNLA, stages attacks against the MPLA from the Angolan bush.
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The death of Angolan president and MPLA leader Agostinho Neto marks a stalemate between UNITA and the MPLA. UNITA proves to be incapable of driving MPLA from the provincial capitals. Yet, the MPLA is unable to decisively remove its opposition. Jose Eduardo dos Santos assumes the position of president of Angola.
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South African troops enter Angola through the Cunene province in support of UNITA and the FNLA. The MPLA and the Angolan government blames South Africa for resulting civilian casualties.
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Negotiations between South Africa and MPLA provide for the withdrawal of South African and Namibian troops. These terms form the basis for the Lusaka Accord of 1984. However, the agreement does not last long.
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Military assistance is provided to UNITA by the United States. At the same time, the Soviet Union, Cuba and other Eastern bloc nations lend support to the MBLA.
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South African troops invade southern Angola to support UNITA, but they fail to capture Cuito Cuanavale. Negotiations between the Soviet Union, the United States, and Portugal lead to the conditional withdrawal of South African and Cuban troops from Angola in exchange for Namibian independence.
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The siege of Cuito Cuanavale was fought on the banks of the Lomba River in south-eastern Angola between UNITA, aided by South Africa and the Angolan army, the People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola, aided by Cuba and the Soviet Union. The People's Armed Forces of Liberation of Angola (FAPLA) had been the armed branch of the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA). It became the official army of Angola when the MPLA took control of the Angolan government.
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The MPLA on behalf of the Angolan government rejects Marxism-Leninism and embraces instead a social democracy.
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Angolan president Eduardo dos Santos and UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi sign a peace agreement which leads to the establishment of a multiparty constitution.
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The first free and fair election is held in Angola. Jose Eduardo dos Santos received more votes than Jonas Savimbi, winning the election. Savimbi rejected the outcome of the election and accused the MPLA of rigging the election. UNITA resumes guerrilla warfare against the MPLA.
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The United States issues an executive order declaring a national emergency in Angola. In doing so, all U.S. aid to Angola would enter at designated points. The order also prohibited any aid to UNITA.
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The MPLA, the FNLA, and UNITA agree to establish a joint transitional government. United Nations peace keeping units arrive in Angola to help ensure a smooth transition to the joint government. Dos Santos and Savimbi agree to a unified Angolan government. They also agree to combine forces to build a national army.
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UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi declines his position in the unified Angolan government. Savimbi demanded the position of principal adviser to the President in the Government of National Unity and Reconciliation. This position he demanded would afford Savimbi constitutional powers far greater than those normally given to the vice-president. The civil war continues.
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UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi is shot to death during a battle with Angolan government troops. Following his death, UNITA and the MPLA sign a ceasefire agreement, effectively ending the Angolan Civil War. However, tensions between supporters of the two factions continued to exist in the country.
