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MPLA

Definition

The People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) is a political party that has ruled Angola since the country's independence from Portugal in 1975. It was also an armed group fighting for independence.

Analogy

Think of MPLA as a school's student council that started out as a group of students protesting against unfair rules, but eventually took over running the school after the principal stepped down.

Related terms

Angolan Civil War: A major civil conflict in Angola, beginning in 1975 and continuing, with some interludes, until 2002. The war began immediately after Angola became independent from Portugal in November 1975.

Portuguese Colonial War: Also known as Overseas War or War of Liberation was fought between Portugal's military and insurgent forces like MPLA from Portuguese colonies like Mozambique, Guinea Bissau and Angola seeking independence.

UNITA: National Union for Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) was another major player along with MPLA during Angolan civil war. UNITA was supported by United States while MPLA had support from Soviet Union and Cuba.