Angola COALITION, THE TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT, AND CIVIL WAR
Angolans celebrating independence in the streets of Luanda,
November 1975
Courtesy United Nations (J.P. Laffont)
In the wake of the coup in Portugal, there remained a
wide
split in the Angolan nationalist movement. Lisbon was
anxious to
relinquish power to a unified government and took an
active role in
bringing about a reconciliation of the three liberation
movements.
In addition, at the urgings of the OAU, Neto, Roberto, and
Savimbi
made several attempts to form a common front. At a meeting
in Kenya
in early January 1975, they recognized their parties as
independent
entities with equal rights and responsibilities, agreed
that a
period of transition was necessary before independence
could be
achieved (during which they would work with the Portuguese
to lay
the foundation for an independent Angola), and pledged to
maintain
Angolan territorial integrity. They also agreed that only
their
three organizations would be included in a unity
government. FLEC,
with its goal of a Cabindan secession, did not support
territorial
integrity and was excluded. In addition, an MPLA splinter
group led
by Daniel Chipenda was not considered a legitimate
nationalist
movement, and it too was excluded.
Meeting in Alvor, Portugal, on January 10, the Lisbon
government and the nationalist movements produced an
agreement
setting independence for November 11, 1975. Under the
Alvor
Agreement, a transitional government headed by a
Portuguese high
commissioner was formed; it included the MPLA, UNITA, and
the FNLA.
One factor that influenced these agreements was the
role of
Admiral Coutinho. His pro-MPLA proclivities threatened the
delicate
balance that the liberation movements had achieved.
Angered by his
activities, Spínola removed him at the end of January
1975.
On January 31, 1975, the transitional government was
sworn in,
but the coalition, based on a fragile truce, had serious
difficulties, as the leaders of its three member
organizations
bickered over a number of issues, including personal
power. Within
days, localized conflicts between MPLA and FNLA forces
were
renewed. Moreover, on February 13 the MPLA attacked the
Luanda
office of Chipenda's faction, after which Chipenda joined
the FNLA
and became its assistant secretary general.
Data as of February 1989
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