Jonas Malheiro Savimbi (August 3, 1934–February 22, 2002) was a rebel leader in Angola who founded the UNITA movement in 1966, and ultimately proved a central figure in 20th century Cold War politics. August 3 is the 215th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (216th in leap years), with 150 days remaining. ... 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... February 22 is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... The União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola (UNITA) is an Angolan political faction. ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ... The Cold War was the protracted geopolitical, ideological, and economic struggle that emerged after World War II between the global superpowers of the Soviet Union and the United States, supported by their military alliance partners. ...

With support from the United States government, the government of the People's Republic of China, the apartheid government in South Africa, and African leaders such as Félix Houphouët-Boigny of Côte d'Ivoire, Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire, King Hassan II of Morocco and Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Savimbi spent much of his life battling Angola's Soviet-aligned government, which was supported by weapons and military advisors from the Soviet Union, East Germany, Cuba, and Nicaragua (under the Sandinistas). Savimbi, affectionately nicknamed "The Black Cockerel" by his supporters, remains an extremely important figure in Angolan history, viewed by some as a "freedom fighter," but by others as a war-monger and butcher who perpetuated a lengthy Cold War conflict, with long-lasting, deterimental effects on Angolan society.[1]. [2] A segregated beach in South Africa, 1982. ... Africa is the worlds second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia. ... Félix Houphouët-Boigny (fālÄ“ks´ oofwā´-bwä´nye) (October 18, 1905 - December 7, 1993) was the first President of Côte dIvoire (1960 - 1993). ... Mobutu Sese Seko Nkuku Ngbendu wa za Banga (October 14, 1930 – September 7, 1997), known commonly as Mobutu Sese Seko, born Joseph-Désiré Mobutu, was the President of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) for 32 years (1965 – 1997). ... Hassan II (July 9, 1929-July 23, 1999) was King of Morocco from 1961 to his death. ... Kenneth Kaunda Kenneth David Kaunda, commonly known as KK (born April 28, 1924) was the first President of Zambia (1964–1991). ... State motto (Russian): Пролетарии всех стран, соединяйтесь! (Transliterated: Proletarii vsekh stran, soedinyaytes!) (Translated: Workers of the world, unite!) Capital Moscow Official language None; Russian (de facto) Government Federation of Soviet republics Area  - Total  - % water 1st before collapse 22,402,200 km² Approx. ... This article is about the historical state. ... The Sandinista flag This article is about the Nicaraguan left-wing political party. ...

Early years

Jonas Savimbi was born and raised in Angola's eastern province of Moxico, which later served as his power base during the civil war that broke out in 1975, following Angola's independence from Portuguese colonial rule. The war was an extremely bloody and costly one, causing the deaths of many thousands. Moxico is a province of the African nation of Angola. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1975 calendar). ...

Relationship with China

Despite the bloodshed of Angola's civil war, Savimbi gradually drew the intrigue of powerful Chinese and, ultimately, American policymakers and intellectuals. Trained in China during the 1960s, he was a highly successful guerrilla fighter schooled in classic Maoist approaches to warfare, including baiting his enemies with multiple military fronts, some of which attacked and some of which consciously retreated. Like the Chinese Red Army of Mao Zedong, Savimbi mobilized large segments of the rural Angolan peasantry in his fight against the Marxist MPLA regime. From a military strategy standpoint, he was generally considered one of the most effective guerrilla leaders of the late 20th century. The outrageously crowded Woodstock festival epitomized the popular antiwar movement of the 60s. ... Distinguish from the type of ape called a gorilla. ... Maoism or Mao Zedong Thought (Chinese: 毛泽东思想, pinyin: Máo Zédōng SÄ«xiÇŽng), is a variant of Marxism-Leninism derived from the teachings of the Chinese communist Mao Zedong. ... The short forms Red Army and RKKA refer to the Workers and Peasants Red Army, (in Russian: Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия - Raboche-Krestyanskaya Krasnaya Armiya), the armed forces first organized by the Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War in 1918. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Marxism is the political practice and social theory based on the works of Karl Marx, a 19th century philosopher, economist, journalist, and revolutionary, along with Friedrich Engels. ... The MPLA flag The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (Movimiento Popular de Libertação de Angola) is an Angolan political party that has ruled the country since independence in 1975. ...

When Savimbi tried to join the MPLA, he was denied membership. He went to the President of Egypt for advice. He told him to go to the Soviet Union, and they, in turn, told him to join the MPLA who already had denied his membership. Savimbi then went to China for help and was promised arms and military training. Upon returning, he began his career as an anti-Portuguese guerrilla fighter. The MPLA flag The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola) is an Angolan political party that has ruled the country since independence in 1975. ...

Intelligence

Complementing his military skills, Savimbi also impressed many with his intellectual qualities. He fluently spoke four European languages, including English, in addition to his native African language as well as two other African languages. In visits with foreign diplomats and in speeches before American audiences, he often cited classical Western political and social philosophy, ultimately becoming one of the most vocal anti-communists of the Third World. Some dismiss this intellectualism as nothing more than careful handling by his politically-savvy American supporters, who sought to present Savimbi as a clear alternative to Angola's regime. But others saw it as genuine and a product of the guerrilla leader's raw intelligence. The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... For the Jamaican reggae band, see Third World (band). ...

These contrasting images of Savimbi would play out throughout his life, with his enemies calling him a power-hungry warmonger, and his (mostly American) allies calling him a critical figure in the West's bid to win the Cold War.

Savimbi's Washington allies

Savimbi's war against Angola's Marxist government became a sub-plot to the Cold War, with both Moscow and Washington viewing the conflict as important to the global balance of power. In 1986, for instance, Savimbi was invited by U.S. President Ronald Reagan to the White House. Reagan spoke of UNITA winning "a victory that electrifies the world". Government Russia District Subdivision Russia Central Federal District Federal City Mayor Yuri Luzhkov Geographical characteristics Area  - City 1,081 km² Population  - City (2005)    - Density 10,415,400   8537. ... 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was the 40th President of the United States (1981–1989) and the 33rd Governor of California (1967–1975). ... The southern side of the White House The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States of America. ...

Equally important, Savimbi also was strongly supported by the extremely influential Heritage Foundation. Heritage Foundation foreign policy analyst Michael Johns and other conservatives visited regularly with Savimbi in his clandestine camps in southern Angola and provided the rebel leader with ongoing political and military guidance in his war against the Angolan government. Savimbi's U.S.-based supporters ultimately proved successful in convincing the Central Intelligence Agency to channel covert weapons to Savimbi's war against Angola's Marxist government, which greatly intensified the conflict. The Heritage Foundation, a think tank located in Washington, D.C., is an influential public policy research institute whose stated mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. ... Michael Johns (September 8, 1964 - ) is an American health care executive, former federal government of the United States official and conservative policy analyst and writer. ... CIA redirects here. ...

Savimbi's military success

As U.S. support began to flow liberally and leading U.S. conservatives championed his cause, Savimbi won major strategic battles in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and Moscow and Havana began to reevaluate their engagement in Angola, as Soviet and Cuban fatalities mounted and Savimbi's ground control increased. At the height of his military success, Savimbi controlled nearly half the country and was beginning, in 1990, to launch attacks on government and military targets in and around the country's capital, Luanda. Observers felt that the strategic balance in Angola had shifted and that Savimbi was positioning UNITA for a possible military victory. This article is about the Cuban capital city. ... This article is about the year. ... Luanda (formerly called Loanda) is the largest city and capital of Angola. ...

Signaling the concern that the former Soviet Union was placing on Savimbi's advance in Angola, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev raised the Angolan war with Reagan during numerous U.S.-Soviet summits. Savimbi was granted a triumph rarely granted an insurgent leader when he personally met with President Reagan in January 1986. (Russian: , Mihail Sergeevič Gorbačëv, IPA: , commonly anglicized as Gorbachev; born March 2, 1931) was leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991. ... 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Under military pressure from UNITA, the Angolan regime negotiated a cease-fire with Savimbi, and Savimbi ran for president in the national elections of 1992. But he questioned the legitimacy of the election when he lost, and resumed fighting, mostly with foreign funds, one of his largest sources of money being the De Beers Corporation, which bought between $500 and $800 million worth of illegally mined diamonds in 1992-1993. In 1994, UNITA signed a new peace accord, but Savimbi declined the vice-presidency that was offered to him and again renewed fighting in 1998. 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... The De Beers Group is a Johannesburg and London-based diamond mining and trading corporation. ... Diamonds () is one of the four suits found in playing cards. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal. // Events January Bill Clinton January 1 : North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) goes into effect. ... 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ...

Savimbi also violently purged some of those within UNITA who he may have seen as threats to his leadership; his foreign secretary, Tito Chingunji, was executed in 1991 along with his family. [3] Tito Chingunji was the foreign secretary of the Angolan UNITA rebel leader Jonas Savimbi. ... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

2002: Death in Combat

After surviving more than a dozen assassination attempts, Savimbi was killed in February 2002, in a battle with Angolan government troops along riverbanks in the province of Moxico, his birthplace. In the firefight, Savimbi reportedly sustained some 17 machine gun bullets to his head, upper body and legs, and while Savimbi returned gun fire, the blows he sustained proved overwhelming and immediately fatal[4]. For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ...

Savimbi's nearly mystical reputation for eluding the Angolan regime and their Soviet and Cuban military advisors and troops led many Angolans to question the validity of reports of his 2002 death. Not until pictures of his bloodied and bullet-ridden body appeared on Angolan state television and newspapers, and the United States State Department subsequently confirmed it, did the reports of Savimbi's death in combat gain credence in the country. The United States Department of State, often referred to as the State Department, is the Cabinet-level foreign affairs agency of the United States government, equivalent to foreign ministries in other countries. ...

Six weeks following Savimbi's death, a ceasefire between UNITA and the MPLA was signed, though Angola remains deeply divided politically between MPLA and UNITA supporters. A national election is scheduled for 2006. The MPLA flag The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (Movimiento Popular de Libertação de Angola) is an Angolan political party that has ruled the country since independence in 1975. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• Angolan Civil War

Map of Angola Following the end of Portuguese colonial rule in April 1974, newly-independent Angola descended into a devasting civil war which became Africas longest running conflict. ...

External link

• "Savimbi 'Died with Gun in Hand'", BBC News, February 25, 2002.