Jonas Savimbi
Jonas Malheiro Savimbi (Portuguese: [ˈʒɔnɐʃ ˈsavĩbi]; 3 August 1934 – 22 February 2002) was an Angolan revolutionary, politician, and rebel military leader who founded and led the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). UNITA was one of several groups which waged a guerrilla war against Portuguese colonial rule from 1966 to 1974. Once independence was achieved, it then became an anti-communist group which confronted the ruling People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) during the Angolan Civil War. Savimbi had extensive contact with anti-communist activists in the United States, including Jack Abramoff and was one of the leading anti-communist voices in the world. Savimbi was killed in a clash with government troops in 2002.
Jonas Savimbi | |
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Savimbi in 1990 | |
| Birth name | Jonas Malheiro Savimbi |
| Born | 3 August 1934 Munhango, Bié Province, Portuguese Angola |
| Died | 22 February 2002 (aged 67) Lucusse, Moxico Province, Angola |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Allegiance | FNLA (1964–66) UNITA (1966–2002) |
| Years of service | 1964–2002 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | President and Supreme Commander of UNITA (1966–2002) |
| Battles/wars | Angolan War of Independence Angolan Civil War |