Jonas Savimbi was a prominent Angolan political and military leader, best known for founding the União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola (UNITA) in 1966. He played a significant role in Angola's struggle for independence from Portugal and later became a key figure in the civil war that erupted after independence in 1975. Savimbi was known for his charismatic leadership and his ability to rally support against the ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA). Throughout the civil war, Savimbi's forces received support from various international allies, including the United States and South Africa, as part of the broader Cold War dynamics. His leadership was marked by both military successes and controversies, including accusations of human rights violations. Savimbi's life ended in 2002 when he was killed in combat, leading to a peace agreement that ultimately ended the long-standing conflict in Angola.