let's take you a few years back...
Angola was one of many African countries that were manipulated and taken over the rule of European nations. Angola was first explored by the Portuguese in 1482 and through a series of treaties and wars; Portugal was able to conquer all of Angola by the beginning of the 20th century. Portugal’s main export from Angola were slaves sent to work on sugar plantations. "By the time slavery was out-lawed, an estimated three million people were removed by force (“Angola History” World Geography)." Because much of the Portuguese’s plantation economy depended on forced labor, slavery became a huge market that led to the exploitment of the natives. Just as any oppressed group would be expected to react, the natives retaliated.
Although the whole nation wanted independence, the people’s cultural and political differences got in the way.
The Northern part of the country organized a nationalist group called The National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA) led by Holden Roberto. The Southern group called The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), and was led by Jonas Malheiro Savimbi. Finally, the third main nationalist group was called The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), and was led by António Agostinho Neto who later died and José Eduardo dos Santos replaced (President of Angola Nowadays). Even after Angola was liberated in November 11, 1975, the power-struggle between each group on who would be the next ruler of the newly born nation continued until the late 1990s and even early 2000s when the conflict finally died down.
Ever since 2003, Angolans have been trying to rebuild their nation’s economy that fell apart during the prolonged civil war. Yet now they finally get to experience the freedom that they had won since 1975, but because of the national groups never had time to enjoy it.
Sources:
“Angola: History.” World Geography. 2009. ABC-CLIO. 30 Apr. 2009 <http://www.worldgeography.abc-clio.com>.
Lye, Keith, and The Diagram Group. “ANGOLA Republic of Angola.”Encyclopedia of African Nations and Civilizations. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 2002. 102-105.
The Northern part of the country organized a nationalist group called The National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA) led by Holden Roberto. The Southern group called The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), and was led by Jonas Malheiro Savimbi. Finally, the third main nationalist group was called The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), and was led by António Agostinho Neto who later died and José Eduardo dos Santos replaced (President of Angola Nowadays). Even after Angola was liberated in November 11, 1975, the power-struggle between each group on who would be the next ruler of the newly born nation continued until the late 1990s and even early 2000s when the conflict finally died down.
Ever since 2003, Angolans have been trying to rebuild their nation’s economy that fell apart during the prolonged civil war. Yet now they finally get to experience the freedom that they had won since 1975, but because of the national groups never had time to enjoy it.
Sources:
“Angola: History.” World Geography. 2009. ABC-CLIO. 30 Apr. 2009 <http://www.worldgeography.abc-clio.com>.
Lye, Keith, and The Diagram Group. “ANGOLA Republic of Angola.”Encyclopedia of African Nations and Civilizations. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 2002. 102-105.