The last months of 1999 saw repeated blows to the fortunes of UNITA. The rebels’ longtime strongholds of Andulo and Bailundo in the Central Highlands of Angola fell to government forces in October. Then in late December, Angolan government troops captured Jamba, another longtime UNITA stronghold, this one in the southeast of the war-torn country. Angola's state-run news agency reports government troops drove UNITA forces from the southeastern rebel stronghold of Jamba on Christmas Day.
The agency gives no details on the assault and makes no mention of casualties on either side. But it says 200 rebels surrendered. It also says government authorities now have full control over the border between Angola and Namibia.
There has been no independent confirmation of the government report nor any comment from UNITA.
However in a statement issued last week, the rebel movement asserted that UNITA, in its words, has learned the art of survival "under the most adverse conditions." The statement said the rebels, quoting again, "will overcome the current onslaught."
Jamba was UNITA's headquarters for some 15 years following Angola's 1975 independence from Portugal. The rebels, under Jonas Savimbi, later established new strongholds in the country's Central Highlands. They were driven from those locations in October of this past year in a massive government offensive designed to punish UNITA for failing to live up to the terms of a 1994 peace agreement.
The present whereabouts of the rebel leadership is not known.
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