Savimbi Heads Home as Angola Truce Takes Effect
KINSHASA, Zaire — Angolan rebel leader Jonas Savimbi left for home Friday to implement a cease-fire that will end 14 years of civil war with Angola’s Marxist government. Shooting was to stop at midnight Friday (4 p.m. PDT).
The leader of the U.S.-backed rebels and Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos signed the truce and sealed it with a handshake late Thursday at a special African summit here to promote peace in Angola.
Savimbi leads the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), which has been backed by China, South Africa and Washington in its fight to share power with Dos Santos’ Marxist Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola.
Difficult negotiations still face the rival Angolan parties in drafting a permanent peace agreement.
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