Remembering The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale

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As the US and its ally, Apartheid South Africa looked to limit and defeat Marxist ideas on the African continent, the decisive end to the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale on the 23rd of March 1988 was a significant moment in the history of socialism and Pan-Africanism. It ended in the defeat for the US / South Africa alliance, with FAPLA, (the People’s Armed Forces of Liberation of Angola, the armed wing of the Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola, or MPLA), supported by Russia and Cuba, driving back the South African Defence Force and UNITA’s attack that intended to capture the town of Cuito Cuanavale.

The battle of Cuito Cuanavale – An imperial proxy war

The MPLA was backed by Russia and Cuban forces, while UNITA, was supported by Apartheid South Africa and the United States.

The Soviet Union and Cuba had been providing military and economic assistance to the MPLA since its inception, while the United States and South Africa supported UNITA in order to maintain their influence in Angola and to counter Soviet and Cuban influence in the region.

Imperial powers played a significant role in the Angolan Civil War and the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale was no exception. South Africa’s support for UNITA was particularly important, as they provided weapons, training, and logistical support to the rebel group. The apartheid government saw Angola as a key strategic location and sought to destabilize the MPLA government in order to weaken Soviet and Cuban influence in the region. Apartheid South Africa’s involvement in Angola also had domestic implications, as it allowed the National Party government to portray itself as fighting against communism and as a defender of Western interests in Africa.

The Soviet Union and Cuba’s support for the MPLA was motivated by a desire to fight in solidarity with African nations who desired a socialist future, and to counter US and South African influence in the region. Both Russia and Cuba provided significant military and economic assistance to the MPLA, including troops, weapons, and advisors. The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale was a major test of the Soviet Union and Cuba’s ability to support their ally and to challenge South Africa’s military power. The fact that the MPLA and its allies were able to push back South African forces was seen as a significant victory that demonstrated the strength of the MPLA / Cuba / Soviet alliance.

SADF Offensive launched, then repelled

In 1987, the South African Defence Force launched a major offensive on the town of Cuito Cuanavale in southeastern Angola. The town was a strategic location, as a vital important supply and communication centre for FAPLA and its allies. The ambition of the SADF was that capturing this town would give them a massive military advantage, allowing them to weaken the MPLA government.

The initial attack was successful, and the SADF was able to capture several key positions around the town.

However, the SADF soon faced fierce resistance from FAPLA and Cuban forces, who launched a counter-offensive that pushed the South African troops back. The fighting was intense and casualties were high on both sides. The battle became a stalemate, with neither side able to gain a significant advantage. The fighting continued for several months, but by March 1988, the SADF had suffered heavy losses and was forced to withdraw from the area. The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale was a turning point in the conflict, as it marked the first time that the SADF had been decisively defeated in a major battle and demonstrated the strength of the FAPLA and Cuban forces.

READ MORE: Cuito Cuanavale, Angola 25th Anniversary of a Historic African Battle by Ronnie Kasrils via South Africa History Online

Significance of the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale

The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale was significant for the Pan-Africanist movement in Africa, as it demonstrated the importance of unity and solidarity among African nations in the fight against colonialism, apartheid, and neocolonialism. The battle was fought not just by Angolan forces, but also by Cuban and Namibian troops who had been fighting for their own independence from colonial and apartheid powers. The presence of Cuban troops was particularly significant, as it showed that socialist countries were willing to provide military and economic aid to African nations in their struggles against imperialism and colonialism.

The victory at Cuito Cuanavale also had broader implications for the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. The defeat of the SADF in a major battle was a significant blow to the prestige of the apartheid government, which had relied heavily on its military power to maintain its grip on power. The battle demonstrated that the apartheid regime could be defeated militarily and undermined the notion of white superiority and invincibility that had been a cornerstone of apartheid ideology. The victory also gave a boost to the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa and provided a sense of hope that the system of racial segregation and oppression could be overcome.

The legacy of the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale continues to be felt in Angola and throughout Africa. The victory was a significant moment in the struggle against colonialism, apartheid, and neocolonialism, and demonstrated the power of unity and solidarity among African nations. The battle also had a profound impact on the broader struggle against apartheid in South Africa, and helped to pave the way for negotiations between the apartheid government and the liberation movement of South Africa, eventually resulting in the dismantling of the apartheid system. Today, the battle is remembered as a symbol of African resistance to imperialism and colonialism, and as a reminder of the sacrifices that were made in the struggle for freedom and independence.