General information
First Active Year: 1961
Current Name: FNLA
Current Name full English: National front for the Liberation of Angola
Current Name full native language: Frente nacional da libertação de Angola
Original Name: UPA
Original Name full English: Union of Angolan Peoples
Original Name full native language: União do Populacoes Angolanas
Actor Chronology
This section contains information about (if applicable) group splinters, name changes, and alliances according to the UCDP definitions of these concepts.
Name Change: From UPA to FNLA
On: 1962-01-01
Conflict issues
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1975
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Angola - FNLA
1976
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Angola - FNLA
1977
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Angola - FNLA
1978
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Angola - FNLA
1979
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Angola - FNLA
Group Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1975 Group Archive
Government of Angola - FNLA
Comment on Name: Frente nacional da libertação de Angola; National front for the Liberation of Angola
Troop Size: 20 000
Comment on Troop Size: In 1975, the FNLA was believed to have some 20 000 troops and was militarily stronger than UNITA and MPLA.
Secondary Support: As the date for Angolas independence approached, support for the different parties from international actors increased. At the beginning of the intrastate armed conflict on 11 November 1975, FNLA, together with UNITA, received secondary support from South Africa, USA, North Korea and Zaire. Apart from providing secondary warring support, Zaire provided military equipment and funds, and FNLA was allowed bases in Zaire. China had supported FNLA earlier in 1975, but withdrew its advisers in November. The USA supplied support directly through the CIA and indirectly through Zaire. From July to December, it was claimed by US Senator Tunney that $ 25 000 000 worth of arms and funds had been given by the CIA. However, in December 1975 the US Congress adopted an amendment declaring that covert aid to FNLA and UNITA would be suspended.
1976 Group Archive
Government of Angola - FNLA
Comment on Name: Frente nacional da libertação de Angola; National front for the Liberation of Angola
Secondary Support: Zaire provided logistic support, training and bases to FNLA.
1977 Group Archive
Government of Angola - FNLA
Comment on Name: Frente nacional da libertação de Angola; National front for the Liberation of Angola
Troop Size: 10 600
Comment on Troop Size: According to its own claims, the FNLA in 1977 had 18 000 men under its command.
Secondary Support: Zaire provided logistic support, training and bases to FNLA.
1978 Group Archive
Government of Angola - FNLA
Comment on Name: Frente nacional da libertação de Angola; National front for the Liberation of Angola
Troop Size: 10 600
Secondary Support: Zaire provided logistic support, training and bases to FNLA.
1979 Group Archive
Government of Angola - FNLA
Comment on Name: Frente nacional da libertação de Angola; National front for the Liberation of Angola
Secondary Support: Zaire provided logistic support, training and bases to FNLA. However, in October Angola and Zaire signed an agreement promising to end support for groups fighting against the other, and Zaire announced FNLA leaders would have to leave the country.
