'Unita HQ captured'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.LUANDA (AP) - Angolan government troops yesterday captured the headquarters in Huambo of the Unita rebel leader, Jonas Savimbi, a government military report said. Mr Savimbi was said to have escaped.
The rout of the rebels further jeopardised hopes for peace in Angola. The fighting is the latest in a week of battles between government forces and troops of the former rebel movement in several cities. Unita lost elections in September which it was hoped would end 16 years of civil war.
Huambo, a central highlands city 300 miles south-east of Luanda, has been Mr Savimbi's headquarters since he rejected the results of the elections and reassembled his military. Rebels retreated there on Friday after suffering a defeat in the nearby city of Cuito, said Joao de Matos, the chief of staff of the Angolan military.
Yesterday a street-by-street battle for the city broke out after rebels attacked the governor's compound, he said. But Mr Savimbi apparently escaped the city before fighting broke out.
'When fighting ended, there was not a single member of Unita left in town,' said General Jose Maria, speaking on Angolan national radio. 'We have to assume their leaders managed to leave before the conflict began.'
An Unita spokesman, Jorge Chitendo, said on Portuguese television that more than 100 people had died in Huambo.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments