What Was the Angolan Civil War?

The Angolan Civil War was one of the most important, long-running and brutal conflicts of modern African history. Angola’s journey from colonial rule to independence and through decades of civil war is a tragic yet pivotal chapter in international relations. Following its struggle for independence from Portugal, Angola was thrust into a 27-year civil war, which became one of the most brutal Cold War proxy conflicts. The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), backed by the Soviet Union and Cuba, clashed with the United States and South Africa-supported National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). This devastating war left millions dead, displaced countless others, and turned Angola into a battleground for Cold War rivalries. The country’s rich natural resources, including oil and diamonds, were critical in fueling the conflict, further entrenching Angola in the global geopolitical struggle.

Despite a ceasefire in 2002 and remarkable post-war economic growth driven by its oil industry, Angola continues to grapple with the long-lasting effects of its turbulent history. Generations traumatised by war face ongoing challenges, including widespread poverty, corruption, and underdevelopment. Landmines still scar the landscape, hindering agricultural recovery, while political dominance by the MPLA raises concerns about democracy and governance. Angola’s story exemplifies how Cold War power struggles devastated local populations, shaping the modern history of Africa and global geopolitics.

*MY LATEST BOOK!*
Secession and State Creation: What Everyone Needs to Know

*SUPPORT THE CHANNEL*
Hello and welcome! My name is James Ker-Lindsay, and here I take an informed look at International Relations, conflict, security, and statehood. If you like what you see, please subscribe. Even better, consider becoming a Channel Member. Thank you!

SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE
BECOME A CHANNEL MEMBER

*VIDEO CHAPTERS*
00:00 Introduction and Titles
00:48 Angola, the Cold War and Proxy Conflicts
01:49 Angola: Location, Population and Natural Resources
02:38 A Brief History of Angola
03:45 The Origins of Angola’s Wars
04:54 The Angolan War of Indepnedence
06:21 The Start of the Angolan Civil War
07:46 The Angolan Civil War in the 1980s: A Cold War Conflict
08:59 The End of the Angolan Civil War
10:42 The Legacy of Angola’s Wars

*SOFTWARE AND EQUIPMENT USED TO MAKE THIS VIDEO*
- The contents of this video and any views expressed in it were not reviewed in advance nor determined by any outside persons or organisation.
- Some of the links above are affiliate links. These pay a small commission if you make a purchase. This helps to support the channel at no additional cost to you.

#Angola #MPLA #UNITA

[JamesKerLindsay]

Here is the second in my new Histories of Conflict series. (I posted my first last week on Iran-Iraq.) Angola was a highly significant war. In addition to drawing in the superpowers, it brought South Africa and Cuba into a direct confrontation. Even now, its effects are still felt. Anyway, I hope to be able to do more of these. Do let me know which other conflicts you would like to see me cover? I have a long list already, but I'm keen to hear more suggestions from you. Let me know below.

[manuelmundombe]

As Angolan I'm proud, too see my country history in the channel. Bless you 🇦🇴

[LookBackHistory]

This video is very much appreciated. Angola is one of those Cold War conflicts which I knew little about, bar that it was tragically messy.

[edsonsilvestre]

As an Angolan myself, I have to say that you deed an amazing work here. The only thing you did not get right is the fact that Jonas Savimbi wasn’t killed in combat, he was murdered.

[Pavlos_Charalambous]

My father served in Angola with the south African army in 75-76 afterwards he just couldn't go on with life in the county he grew up ( SA) he felt the need to start over life and moved " back to the Ancestral land" of Greece where he lived the rest of his life
At home we never watched war movies or wear " miliatre" clothes when was trendy
You know typical undiagnosed ptsd staff
But one thing that really made a bit wiser as a teenager was this one
We are at one of those very common Street bazaars you find all over Athens, my father had the habit to switch from Greek to English on random always with a very strong south African accent, so a black guy about his age asked him if he is from SA my father replied and the guy told him that he was from Angola, my father just told him that he had been there and the guy told him that he was " on the other side" then the black guy asked him " why we fought?" and my father replied " so we can never reach our full potential" both men became very emotional and They embraced each other like being brothers that had lost contact for years
Life and the human experience isn't always straightforward, black and white and as simple as people often think..

[EricZucchini]

I'm loving this series! Good that the channel is focusing on more than what conflicts are "hot" right now!

[Silen_]

I’m cuban and from as long and I could remember I’ve heard mentions of family members having gone to Angola to fight in a war. Yet it has always perplexed me, as I never understood why Cuba even participated in the first place. After this video I can more so understand why, thanks!

[stolwebapistolwebapi]

Good channel, Good History of Angola People. ❤

[judejudeu]

Thanks Professor for bringing this subject to the world's audience. Very commendable.

[brkatimachor]

Haven't had a chance to watch this all the way through yet but i just wanted to say what a great idea this was for a new series on the channel! I have a feeling these historical videos are quickly going to become my favourites.

Good work, sir!

[ViajesyGeopolitica]

I always wanted to know more about this conflict. Thank you, professor

[azrafchowdhury]

This was interesting and I'm excited to see more in this new series. I'm enjoying the content Professor James.

[hawaballubangura]

Thanks very much for bringing the conflicts in Africa to light

[JoséManuel-yo]

I'm angolano, thank you for share our history

[sorincristea]

Thanks Mr Ker-Lindsay for your videos; very instructive. IMHO your channel is the best of its kind. Quick question: where do you find those beautiful and well done historical maps?

[TheAvg_JACK]

I literally live right next door to Angola in Zimbabwe and I've never taken a moment to learn this history. These liberation struggles are generally similar but it's nice to hear the details so thank you professor. The Zimbabwean version of the Civil War part was extremely short, a couple of weeks because it was ended by an alliance of the 2 parties to form a government.

[okellolester]

Great video! Small critique on the thumbnail, maybe use the old Apartheid-era flag instead of the democratic-era South African flag.

[hugodesrosiers-plaisance]

Barely anyone who doesn't dig into History knows of this war today.
I was first made aware of it through my interest for military aviation history - Soviet MiGs with Cuban pilots taking on French Mirages with South African pilots. There's something so surreal right there.

[lemostsv]

I am Angolan and I can say from personal experience that war is the worst thing that exists in this world. It's difficult to sleep and wake up every day with 80% certainty that it could be the last day of your life or that of the people you love most.

[tng]

The East Germans also had a big finger in the Angola pie acting as USSR’s proxy alongside Cuba. They also had an eye on Namibia as well at the time - ironically Namibia was a former German colony.