Go to AfricaBib home

Go to AfricaBib home AfricaBib Go to database home

bibliographic database
Line
Previous page New search

The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here

Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Cuito Cuanvale Revisited: Same Outcomes, Different Consequences
Author:Breytenbach, Willie J.ISNI
Year:1997
Periodical:Africa Insight
Volume:27
Issue:1
Pages:54-62
Language:English
Geographic terms:Angola
South Africa
Subjects:military intervention
defence
Military, Defense and Arms
international relations
Inter-African Relations
Abstract:The 'battle of Cuito Cuanavale' (Angola, 1987/1988) was a turning point in the history of the African subcontinent. It was the last of the proxy wars during the dying days of the Cold War. Disagreements about the outcome of Cuito Cuanavale can be reduced to three issues: the question of the objectivity of source material; differing interpretations of the short-term military outcome and the longer-term political consequences; and, who were the 'real' winners and losers. To address these questions, the author analyses the battle or siege of Cuito Cuanavale, which involved the MPLA/FAPLA (Forças Armadas Populares de Libertação de Angola) in alliance with Cuban forces, and UNITA supported by the SADF (South African Defence Force). The author concludes that it is too early to tell who actually won in the longer term. There are many candidates for this accolade, with Namibia one of the major contenders; the USA is another. The only certainty is that Angola, through its ongoing wars, is a heavy loser. Ref.
Views
Cover