National Liberation Front of Angola facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids National Liberation Front of Angola Frente Nacional de Libertação de Angola

Abbreviation	FNLA
President	Ngola Kabangu
Founder	Holden Roberto
Founded	1954 (as the União dos Povos do Norte de Angola guerrilla movement) 1959 (as the União dos Povos de Angola guerrilla movement) 1961 (as the FNLA guerilla movement) 1992 (as a party)
Headquarters	Luanda, Republic of Angola
Ideology	Civic nationalism Christian democracy Conservatism
Political position	Centre-right
Seats in the National Assembly	2 / 220
Party flag

The National Front for the Liberation of Angola (Portuguese: Frente Nacional de Libertação de Angola), often called FNLA, is a political party in Angola. It used to be a group that fought for Angola's freedom from Portugal. This happened during the Angolan War of Independence, and the group was led by Holden Roberto.

The FNLA started in 1954 as a group called the União dos Povos do Norte de Angola. Later, in 1959, it became known as the União dos Povos de Angola (UPA). From 1961, it was called the FNLA.

Before Angola's first multi-party elections in 1992, the FNLA became a political party. In those elections, they got 2.4% of the votes. This meant five of their members became part of the Angolan Parliament. In the 2008 election, the FNLA received 1.11% of the votes. They won three out of 220 seats in the Parliament.

A Look at FNLA's History
FNLA's Election Results
- Presidential Elections
- National Assembly Elections
See Also

A Look at FNLA's History

How the FNLA Began

In 1954, a group called the United People of Northern Angola (UPNA) was formed. This group wanted the Bakongo tribe to have their own kingdom again. They also protested against forced labor. Holden Roberto was seen as a leader for this idea.

By 1958, the group changed its name to the "União das Populações de Angola" (UPA). Holden Roberto, who was from São Salvador in Northern Angola, led this group. In March 1961, the UPA started an uprising in the north. Many people died in the fighting. The Portuguese government sent soldiers to Angola. By the end of 1961, over 50,000 people had lost their lives. More than a million people fled from northern Angola to Zaire (now Congo).

To become a bigger national movement, the UPA joined with another group. They formed the "Frente Nacional de Libertação de Angola" (FNLA). In February 1962, the FNLA joined with other groups. They created the Revolutionary Government of Angola in Exile (GRAE). Roberto was its President, and Jonas Savimbi was its foreign minister. This group was based in Kinshasa, Zaire. The Organisation of African Unity (OAU) recognized GRAE as Angola's main freedom movement until 1971. Most of its members were Angolan refugees living in Zaire.

Who Helped the FNLA?

The United States government started helping the FNLA in 1961. This was during the time of President Kennedy. They sent some of their aid to Zaire, which then went to the FNLA and UNITA. Over the years, many countries supported the FNLA. These included Algeria, Tunisia, West Germany, Ghana, Israel, France, Romania, China, South Africa, the United States, Zaire, and Liberia.

The French government provided people and a large loan. The Israeli government helped the FNLA between 1963 and 1969. Holden Roberto visited Israel, and FNLA members trained there. In the 1970s, Israel sent weapons to the FNLA through Zaire. China also gave military equipment and advisers to the FNLA in 1974.

Changes in the GRAE Alliance

By July 1964, the GRAE started to face challenges. The Prime Minister of Congo, who supported them, resigned. Also, Jonas Savimbi left the group. He went on to form his own movement, UNITA. This happened because he felt Roberto was too controlling and didn't have a clear plan.

Roberto faced an attempt to remove him from power in June 1965. In November of the same year, his brother-in-law, Mobutu Sese Seko, took control of Congo. By 1968, the unity of GRAE began to fall apart.

US Policy Changes for Angola

When President Richard Nixon took office in 1969, he reviewed the US policy towards Angola. In January 1970, a new policy was adopted. It suggested that white-led governments in these countries should not be isolated. Instead, working with them was seen as the best way to bring change. This meant less aid for the FNLA.

Portugal's Government Changes

In late 1972, the FNLA made a ceasefire agreement with the MPLA. The MPLA was being attacked by the FNLA and by the Portuguese. The FNLA needed more weapons because US aid had stopped. The Chinese government then provided military aid and training to the FNLA from early 1973 to late 1974.

In April 1974, a military coup happened in Portugal. The new government announced that its colonies would soon become independent. This led to more conflict among the FNLA, MPLA, and UNITA as they tried to gain control in Angola. The Romanian government also sent weapons to the FNLA in August 1974.

In August 1974, the Portuguese government in Angola suggested a two-year plan for independence. This plan included a shared government with the three groups and white settlers. But this idea was rejected. To stop the fighting, ceasefires were arranged. The FNLA signed one on October 15, 1974. This allowed them and other groups to open political offices in Luanda. By November 25, 1974, the FNLA and UNITA had a ceasefire. A ceasefire with the MPLA followed on December 18.

US Aid Increases for FNLA

When Gerald Ford became president in August 1974, US foreign policy changed. It now supported black rule in Angola. By November 1974, the US decided they didn't want the pro-Soviet MPLA to control the future government. So, the CIA gave the FNLA $300,000 to help them.

In late January 1975, a US government committee approved more funding for the FNLA. This money was meant for the FNLA to buy newspapers and radio stations. The US also sent weapons to Zaire, which then passed them to the FNLA. They also sent several thousand troops. With this help, Roberto thought they could stop any future shared government. This led the Soviet Union to increase its aid to the MPLA.

By June 1975, the CIA asked for even more aid for the FNLA. After some discussion, aid of $14 million was approved in July. This increased to $25 million in August and $32 million by September. This help was known as Operation IA Feature. The CIA sent supplies like armored vehicles, missiles, rifles, and ammunition. They also sent trainers and mercenaries. However, some CIA members doubted the FNLA's ability to win.

South Africa Joins the War

The South African army entered Angola to protect its interests. This led to Operation Savannah. Their goal was to help the FNLA and UNITA gain control of southern and central Angola before independence day. The US seemed to approve this secret invasion at first. But when South Africa's involvement became public, the US distanced itself. South African forces advanced from the south. A smaller South African force supported the FNLA in the north.

FNLA Attacks Luanda

Roberto believed that if the FNLA didn't control Luanda on independence day, their international standing would be weak. The main attack on Luanda was planned from the north through Quifangondo. The FNLA attacked on November 5 and 8, 1975, but were pushed back.

With independence day on November 11, 1975, Roberto ordered a final attack on Quifangondo on November 10. He didn't know that Cuban forces had strengthened their positions with new Soviet equipment. The FNLA's final attack, known as the Battle of Quifangondo, failed badly. The MPLA kept control of Luanda. Angola gained independence from Portugal, and Neto declared the People's Republic of Angola. The FNLA continued fighting inside Angola for about four more months.

US Aid Stops

On November 6, 1975, the CIA Director told the US Senate that his organization had not fully informed them about its activities in Angola. The next day, The New York Times published this information. By November 26, Nigeria recognized the MPLA government. Soon, 22 other African nations followed.

By December, President Ford and Henry Kissinger wanted to continue aid to the opposition parties. However, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee created the Clark Amendment. This amendment, named after Senator Dick Clark, aimed to stop US covert aid in Angola. Senator Clark believed the US efforts had drawn Cuba and South Africa into the conflict. The US government could not convince Congress to continue the aid. On December 19, 1975, the Clark Amendment passed the Senate. Covert US aid in Angola ended.

FNLA Retreats from Angola

After their defeat at Quifangondo, the MPLA and Cubans advanced in Northern Angola. They captured FNLA airbases and their capital. By early 1976, the FNLA was defeated and began retreating towards the Zairian border. They looted villages as they went.

On January 11, 1976, the MPLA and Cubans captured more areas from the FNLA. They then advanced on the FNLA headquarters at São Salvador. This route was defended by foreign mercenaries and some FNLA members. The mercenaries were led by Colonel Callan. He was removed from command due to his actions. São Salvador was captured on February 15, 1976. South African forces left Angola on March 27, 1976. Some FNLA members who had fought with the South African army later formed a new group called 32 Battalion.

The End of FNLA's Military Power

On February 29, 1976, the Angolan President Agostinho Neto and Zairian President Mobuto Sese Seko signed a peace agreement. Zaire promised to expel the FNLA and UNITA from its bases. However, this agreement did not last.

In May 1978, another invasion of Zaire happened. This was the beginning of the end for the FNLA based in Zaire. The Angolan and Zairian presidents met again in June 1978 and signed a new peace agreement. As a result, Holden Roberto was sent to Gabon by the Zairian President in November 1979. Some parts of the FNLA continued to fight after Roberto left. They were called the FNLA-COMIRA. But this group stopped existing by 1983.

FNLA's Election Results

Presidential Elections

Election	Party candidate	Votes	%	Result
1992	Holden Roberto	83,135	2.11%	Lost
2012	Ngola Kabangu	65,163	1.13%	Lost
2017		63,658	0.93%	Lost
2022		66,337	1.06%	Lost

National Assembly Elections

Election	Party leader	Votes	%	Seats	+/–	Position	Outcome
1992	Holden Roberto	94,742	2.40%	5 / 220	New	4th	Opposition
2008	Ngola Kabangu	71,416	1.11%	3 / 220	2	4th	Opposition
2012		65,163	1.13%	2 / 220	1	5th	Opposition
2017		63,658	0.93%	1 / 220	1	5th	Opposition
2022		66,337	1.06%	2 / 220	1	4th	Opposition