The Angolan Civil War was a conflict that lasted from 1975 to 2002 in Angola, a country in southwestern Africa. It began shortly after Angola gained independence from Portugal, with various factions vying for power. The main groups involved were the MPLA (People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola) and the UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola), each supported by different foreign powers during the Cold War. The war resulted in significant loss of life and displacement of people, with estimates of casualties ranging from 500,000 to 1 million. The conflict officially ended with a peace agreement in 2002, leading to a period of reconstruction and political stability in Angola.