Jonas Savimbi
Jonas Savimbi | |
|---|---|
Savimbi in 1989 | |
| Birth name | Jonas Malheiro Sidónio Sakaita Savimbi |
| Born | 3 August 1934 Munhango, Bié Province, Portuguese Angola |
| Died | 22 February 2002 (aged 67) Lucusse, Moxico Province, Angola |
| Cause of death | Gunshot wounds |
| Allegiance | Political organizations: FNLA (1961-64) MPLA (1964–65) UNITA (1966–2002) State: Democratic People's Republic of Angola (1975–1976, 1979–2002) |
| Years of service | 1964–2002 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | President and Supreme Commander of UNITA (1966–2002) |
| Known for | Co-President and President of the Democratic People's Republic of Angola |
| Battles / wars | Angolan War of Independence Angolan Civil War |
Jonas Malheiro Sidónio Sakaita 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.