New Zambian Leader Apologizes for Country's Historic Blunder
In an extraordinary move, the new Zambian leader has offered neighboring Angola his heartfelt apology for backing that country's rival in its catastrophic civil war.
New President Michael Sata condemned Zambia's "treachery" in backing the rebel Unita movement of Dr. Jonas Savimbi during Angola's 27 year-long civil war. From 1975 to 2002, the rebel UNITA received military aid from the United States and South Africa while the currently governing MPLA received support from the Soviet Union and its allies. Over 500,000 Angolans perished in the conflict.
Following Savimbi's death, UNITA abandoned armed struggle and took part in electoral politics, winning 16 out of 220 seats in the 2008 parliamentary election. The apology suggests the two sides may settle the mystery of a $1.2-million account in a London bank.
The funds were claimed by former president Frederick Chiluba as his "personal" money but insiders say it was cash given by Savimbi's Unita for services rendered, confirming Angola's charge of collusion between Unita and at least some individuals in the upper reaches of the Zambian government.
The collusion was not thought to have been driven by either ideology or politics, but purely by greed.
source:New Zambian Leader Apologizes for Country's Historic Blunder | LexTown Publications
In an extraordinary move, the new Zambian leader has offered neighboring Angola his heartfelt apology for backing that country's rival in its catastrophic civil war.
New President Michael Sata condemned Zambia's "treachery" in backing the rebel Unita movement of Dr. Jonas Savimbi during Angola's 27 year-long civil war. From 1975 to 2002, the rebel UNITA received military aid from the United States and South Africa while the currently governing MPLA received support from the Soviet Union and its allies. Over 500,000 Angolans perished in the conflict.
Following Savimbi's death, UNITA abandoned armed struggle and took part in electoral politics, winning 16 out of 220 seats in the 2008 parliamentary election. The apology suggests the two sides may settle the mystery of a $1.2-million account in a London bank.
The funds were claimed by former president Frederick Chiluba as his "personal" money but insiders say it was cash given by Savimbi's Unita for services rendered, confirming Angola's charge of collusion between Unita and at least some individuals in the upper reaches of the Zambian government.
The collusion was not thought to have been driven by either ideology or politics, but purely by greed.
source:New Zambian Leader Apologizes for Country's Historic Blunder | LexTown Publications