55 Day War

The 55-day war was a battle in the city of Huambo between the rebel forces of UNITA led by Arlindo Pena and the MPLA-led Angolan government. The 55-day war lasted between 9 January 1993 and 6 March 1993, resulting in UNITA emerging victorious and the destruction of most of the city.

55 Day War
Part of the Angolan Civil War
Date9 January 1993 – 6 March 1993
(56 days)
Location
Huambo, Angola
Result UNITA victory
Belligerents

MPLA

Supported by:
 France[1]

UNITA

Supported by:
 Zimbabwe
 Ghana
 Guinea[1]
Commanders and leaders
João de Matos
Higino Carneiro		 Jonas Savimbi
Demosthenes Amos Chilingutila
Strength
20,000 soldiers
8,000-10,000 militia
Casualties and losses
12,000 killed
40 Tanks(UNITA claim) [2]
At least 10,000 soldiers killed
5,000 civilians[3]
200,000 displaced[4]

Background

After UNITA’s defeat in the 1992 Angolan general election, UNITA rejected the election outcome and resumed hostilities. After the eruption of Hostilities, UNITA began a new offensive, this offensive targeted a number of provincial capitals including Kuito, Huambo, Malange, Luena, and Menongue, and aimed to force the MPLA into further concessions.[5]

Battle

The Battle began on 9 January 1993 when UNITA launched an assault to take the city with 20,000 soldiers and 8,000-10,000 armed militia. UNTIA was able to take the city before being driven out of most of the city the same day, fighting remained in the residential areas of the city, and by January 11 100 people had already been killed.[6] UNITA soon launch another attack to take the city leading to heavy fighting.[7] Two members of the United Nations monitoring force were injured in the fighting. UNITA claimed to have destroyed an ammunition depo on 16 January.[8] By 19 January UNITA had surrounded the city and had claimed to have destroyed 12 T-55s and shot down a Sukhoi Su-25 fighter jet.[9]

On 2 February 1993, Shelling killed 40.[10] By February 11 2,000 people are said to have been killed in fighting in the city.[11] On 13 February, government forces began withdrawing from the city center and UNTIA started to gain the upper hand and held 3/4 of the city including the airfield and barracks.[12] A government counter-attack on the 13th was able to regain some lost territory.[13] The Angolan government claimed that 1,000 people were killed on 15 February when UNITA shelled a civilian convoy leading out of the city. By 16 February 10,000 people are said to have been killed since the fighting began.[14] By February 18, government forces held only a small part of the city.[15]

On 10 February 500 civilians were killed in heavy fighting and shelling. 10,500 had been so far killed in the fighting.[16] On 26 February UNITA agreed with the UN to allow humanitarian aid to land at Huambo airport.[17] On 1 March, the government claimed UNITA massacred 45 civilians and dumped their bodies into the river.[18] On 8th March UNITA overran the last government stronghold claiming to have captured 5,000 government troops.[19]

See also

References
  1. Battersby, John (1993). "A Renewal of Civil War Ruins an Angolan City". The Christian Science Monitor (April 16). Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  2. "A Renewal of Civil War Ruins an Angolan City". The Christian Science Monitor. 16 April 1993. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  3. "Angolan Rebels Win Concessions After War Gains". The Christian Science Monitor. 22 April 1993. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  4. "Angola's people in 'internal exile'". No. Vol. 3 No. 115. The Namibian. 4 March 1993.
  5. "Angolan Rebels Win Concessions After War Gains". The Christian Science Monitor. 22 April 1993. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  6. "Battle rages For Huambo". No. Vol. 3 No. 77. Namibian. 11 January 1993.
  7. "Unita battles to regain Huambo". No. Vol.3 No. 79. The Namibian. 13 January 1993.
  8. "UN withdraws from Angolan battle zones". No. Vol. 3 No. 82. The Namibian. 18 January 1993.
  9. "Tales of Horror from Huambo". No. Vol. 3 No. 83. The Namibian. 19 January 1993.
  10. "Angola Prepares for State of Emergency". No. Vol. 3 No. 95. The Namibian. 4 February 1993.
  11. "Ceasefire hinges on Huambo". No. Vol. 3 No. 100. The Namibian. 11 February 1993.
  12. "Angolan Rebels Gain In Battle for Major City". New York times. 13 February 1993. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  13. "MPLA races against time to reach Huambo". No. Vol. 3 No.104. The Namibian. 17 February 1993.
  14. "Siege of Huambo Continues; 10,000 Reported Killed". associated press. 16 February 1993. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  15. "Parliament seeks to boost army's efforts". No. Vol. 3 No. 105. The Namibian. 18 February 1993.
  16. "Hundreds,die in Huambo". No. Vol. 3 No.111. The Namibian. 26 February 1993.
  17. "Time For Talks Running out". No. Vol. 3 No. 112. The Namibian. 1 March 1993.
  18. "UN Blames Unita for talks failure". No. Vol.3 No. 113. The Namibian. 2 March 1993.
  19. "Unita claims victory". No. Vol. 3 No. 115. The Namibian. 8 March 1993.
Bibliography
  • Porto, João Gomes; Alden, Chris; Parsons, Imogen (2007). From Soldiers to Citizens: Demilitarization of Conflict and Society. Ashgate. ISBN 9780754692287. OCLC 318536876.
  • Malley-Morrison, Kathleen (2009). State Violence and the Right to Peace: Western Europe and North America. Praeger Security International/ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9780275996475. OCLC 319868186.

Further reading
  • "The battle for Huambo" 1993, Economist, 326, 7801, pp. 43–45.
  • "Fingers crossed" 1994, Economist, 333, 7893, p. 44.
  • "The ruins of rebellion" 1994, Economist, 330, 7852, pp. 44–45.
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