55 Day War
Encyclopedia
The 55 Day War occurred in Angola
, following the elections of 1992, when the city of Huambo
was disrupted by a confrontation between the MPLA and UNITA
. The war lasted 55 days, beginning on 9 January 1993. Over those days, the city was totally destroyed and lay in ruins. Many people died, and bodies were left in the streets.
After 55 days of armed conflict, UNITA gained control and the MPLA retired to Benguela
. As a consequence of this conflict, Huambo lost its hegemony over other Angolan cities, having lost its industrial base, schools, universities, and homes.
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
, following the elections of 1992, when the city of Huambo
Huambo
Huambo, formerly Nova Lisboa , is the capital of Huambo province in Angola. The city is located about 220 km E from Benguela and 600 km SE from Luanda. The city's last known population count was 225,268...
was disrupted by a confrontation between the MPLA and UNITA
UNITA
The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola is the second-largest political party in Angola. Founded in 1966, UNITA fought with the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola in the Angolan War for Independence and then against the MPLA in the ensuing civil war .The war was one...
. The war lasted 55 days, beginning on 9 January 1993. Over those days, the city was totally destroyed and lay in ruins. Many people died, and bodies were left in the streets.
After 55 days of armed conflict, UNITA gained control and the MPLA retired to Benguela
Benguela
Benguela is a city in western Angola, south of Luanda, and capital of Benguela Province. It lies on a bay of the same name, in 12° 33’ S., 13° 25’ E...
. As a consequence of this conflict, Huambo lost its hegemony over other Angolan cities, having lost its industrial base, schools, universities, and homes.
See also
- Angolan Civil WarAngolan Civil WarThe Angolan Civil War was a major civil conflict in the Southern African state of Angola, beginning in 1975 and continuing, with some interludes, until 2002. The war began immediately after Angola became independent from Portugal in November 1975. Prior to this, a decolonisation conflict had taken...
- Angolan legislative election, 1992
- Angolan presidential election, 1992Angolan presidential election, 1992General elections were held in Angola on 29 and 30 September 1992 to elect a President and National Assembly, the first time multi-party elections had been held in the country. They followed the signing of the Bicesse Accord on 31 May 1991 in an attempt to end the 17-year long civil war...