An oil- and diamond-rich country in southwest Africa, Angola has suffered almost continuous civil war since independence from Portugal in 1975. During the Cold War the West supported UNITA rebels against the Soviet-backed MPLA government. After many failed peace initiatives, the latest, in 2002, has raised hopes yet again of a more lasting end to the violence.

UNITA cast itself as the sole representative of the predominantly rural-dwelling Ovimbundu, in order to attack the mainly urban-based, largely Kimbundu or mixed race (Portuguese– African) MPLA. Religion has revived since the MPLA abandoned its Marxist tenets in the 1980s. Some 20% of the population are internal refugees.

Strengths

Oil an important foreign exchange earner; hopes for advanced offshore drilling. Some of the richest mineral deposits in Africa.

Weaknesses

Severe drought. Civil war: destruction of infrastructure. Ten million land mines laid nationwide.

In power since 1975, the MPLA abandoned one-party rule in 1991 and won Angola's first multiparty elections in 1992. Jonas Savimbi's defeated UNITA responded by reopening the civil war. The rivals signed a peace protocol in Lusaka, Zambia, in 1994, which stipulated the formation of a government of national unity (GURN). UNITA ministers eventually joined the GURN in 1997, but were expelled in 1998 as fighting escalated. Savimbi's death in February 2002 led to a renewed peace initiative, and a "definitive cease-fire" in April.

Angola was a key Cold War frontier in the 1980s, but after 1992 UNITA lost international support. Post-apartheid South Africa joined the USA, Russia, and Portugal as guarantors of Angola's peace process after 1994. Relations with Zambia are tense as fighting has occasionally spilled across the border. Controls on the international diamond trade were tightened in early 2000 in support of UN trade sanctions on UNITA-held regions. UNITA moved to secure territory and influence in the DRC in 2001.

By 2002 superior government forces had asserted control over more than 90% of the country. Under the cease-fire, 5000 UNITA troops were integrated into the regular army. The remaining 80,000 were demobilized. The government has agreed to ratify the 1997 Ottawa treaty on the elimination of antipersonnel mines.

Deepwater oil fields have been found. The rich diamond deposits were controlled by UNITA in the civil war.

War has damaged the water supply. UNITA has been accused of widescale ivory poaching.

War has destroyed infrastructure, restricted movement of people and goods, and devastated port traffic. UN peacekeepers have tried to clear mines and repair roads, bridges, and railroads.

Angola's health system is barely able to cope with casualties of war and the threat of epidemics. Angola has the greatest number of amputees (caused by land mines) in the world. Immunization of three million children against polio began in 2002.

A government-backed initiative, Adra, is making progress in reviving schooling in cities.

Murder, theft, corruption, and diamond smuggling are commonplace. Rural areas are effectively controlled by gangs. Both the MPLA and UNITA have poor human rights records. Global companies assisted UNITA in sanctions-busting.

State officials enjoy various luxuries, such as access to cars and other consumer goods, while the majority struggles to survive. The MPLA accuses its own generals of illicit diamond mining.

Since independence Angola has been a war zone. Until the late 1990s the few visitors were journalists or employees of the oil multinationals in Cabinda.

The Portuguese first established coastal forts in 1482.

• 1975 Independence. Civil war between MPLA and UNITA.
• 1979 José Eduardo dos Santos (MPLA) becomes president.
• 1991 UN-brokered peace.
• 1992 MPLA election victory provokes UNITA to resume fighting.
• 1994 Lusaka peace agreement.
• 1998 Civil war reerupts.
• 2000 Fighting spreads as UNITA increases guerrilla activity.
• 2002 UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi killed. April, cease-fire signed.