The União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola (UNITA) is an Angolan political faction. Until 2002, the group was largely a military force and had been fighting a civil war since 1975. From its foundation until his death, the group was dominated by its leader and founder, Jonas Savimbi. Image File history File links Unitaprop. ... 2002 (MMII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 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. ... 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. ...

The group was formed from the politicized split in the Angolan independence movement. The two original groups were the National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA, founded 1957) and the socialist Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA, founded 1956). In March 1966, Jonas Savimbi broke with the FNLA to form his own group, UNITA, initially based in Muangai but later in Jamba in the southeast portion of the country. Its leadership was drawn from the majority Ovimbundu tribal group and its policies were Maoist, aimed at rural rights and recognized ethnic divisions. It was the most 'African' of the groups and was also considered the most radical. Whatever its politics, UNITA guerillas proved themselves especially effective before and after independence. FNLA flag Frente Nacional de Libertação de Angola (National Front for the Liberation of Angola), a political movement in Angola. ... 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. ... Maoism or Mao Zedong Thought (Chinese: 毛澤東思想, pinyin: Máo Zédōng Sīxiǎng), also called Marxism-Leninism–Mao Zedong Thought or Marxism-Leninism-Maoism (MLM), is a variant of communism derived from the teachings of Mao Zedong (1893–1976). ...

After the Portuguese withdrawal in 1974-75 the groups splintered, creating civil war. MPLA leader Agostinho Neto became the first president of Angola. Backed by Cuban and Soviet money, weapons and troops, the MPLA broke the FNLA and forced them into exile. UNITA was nearly destroyed in November 1975, but it survived and set up a second government in Huambo. UNITA was hard-pressed but recovered with South African aid from 1975 and then U.S. support during the 1980s. The MPLA was strongest in the cities, the coastal region and the strategic oil-fields. UNITA controlled much of the highlands interior, notably the Bié plateau. António Agostinho Neto (September 17, 1922–September 10, Angola (1975–1979), a poet and nationalist leader. ...

In the late 1980s, Savimbi was influenced heavily by military and political guidance from American conservatives, including The Heritage Foundation's Michael Johns, who helped elevate Savimbi's stature in Washington and facilitated the transfer of American weapons to his war. Johns and other American conservatives met regularly with Savimbi in his clandestine military camps in southern Angola. Savimbi drew the praise of former President Ronald Reagan, who hailed him as a freedom fighter and spoke of Savimbi winning a victory that "electrifies the world." The Heritage Foundation, a think tank located in Washington, D.C., is an influential public policy research institute. ... 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. ... 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). ...

Stamps issued by UNITA during the war

Fighting continued until 1989, when, with UNITA advancing militarily, Cuba withdrew its support and 50,000 troops from the MPLA. A ceasefire was negotiated and the MPLA leader José Eduardo dos Santos and Central Committee rejected its Marxist past and proposed democracy. Image File history File links Angola-unitastamps2. ... Image File history File links Angola-unitastamps2. ... José Eduardo dos Santos (born August 28, 1942 in Luanda) is the current President of Angola. ...

Following the 1991 Bicesse Accord, signed in Lisbon, there were United Nations-brokered elections between Savimbi and dos Santos in 1992. Failing to win an overall majority and questioning the election's legitimacy, UNITA returned to armed conflict, this time establishing a base in Huambo. The U.N. implemented an embargo against UNITA, and the U.S, government finally recognized the MPLA government. After failed talks in 1993, another agreement, the Lusaka Protocol, was implemented in 1994 to form a government of national unity. In 1995, U.N. peacekeepers arrived. UNITA again broke away from this agreement in 1998, but an MPLA offensive in 1999 destroyed UNITA as a conventional force. UNITA then returned to guerilla tactics. Satellite picture Huambo is the capital of Huambo Province in Angola. ...

The conflict ended only after the death of Savimbi in an ambush in February 2002, after which UNITA agreed a ceasefire with the government in April 2002. Under an amnesty agreement, UNITA soldiers and their families, about 350,000 people, were gathered in 33 demobilisation camps under the Program For Social and Productive Reintegration of Demobilizeds and War Displaced People. In August, UNITA officially gave up its armed wing, effectively ending the civil war.

Savimbi was apparently succeeded by Antonio Dembo, who died shortly after Savimbi. As of June 2003 UNITA has not yet chosen a new leader. The interim leader, secretary-general, and also a candidate, is General Paulo Lukamba; his opponents are Dinho Chingunji and Isaias Samakuva. After election Isaias Samakuva won and it is today the new president elected of UNITA. 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar, and also: The International Year of Freshwater The European Disability Year Events January events January 1 Luíz Inácio Lula Da Silva becomes the 37th President of Brazil. ... Isaias Samakuva (born 1945 in Kunji, Bié province) is the president of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). ...