2002
132 pp.
1 map, appendices: chronological sketch of Angolan history, economic data about the Republic of Angola, political parties and party leaders
Text language: German
The present study on the history of the Angolan war of independence since 1961 focuses primarily on three factors that have contributed to the persistence of the conflict, despite international pressure for peace: ethnicity, nationalism and internationalization. Contrary to the usual characterization of the conflict as an international war by proxy drawn from the cold war period, the author stresses the role of the involved countries since the demise of this era.
The continuing international involvement in this conflict is readily apparent by the important position occupied by the arms suppliers and mining companies of the interested countries. The discussion of possible factors for the ethnification of Angolan society arrives at the conclusion that the Angolan example represents a case of “politicized ethnicity”. Party loyalties are determined by ethnic, geographic and regional affiliations and are instrumentalized by the political leadership in their struggle to obtain access to the natural resources. Ethnicity in this context becomes abused as the vehicle to mobilize the different ethnic groups which hitherto have been denied participation in the use of the resources of the land.
The results contained in this book are especially valuable for readers in the fields of conflict and peace research which are also interested in anthropological and political aspects. The appendices provide a chronological overview of the recent political and economic history of Angola.