During decolonization, Angola experienced significant political upheaval and instability. The struggle for independence from Portuguese colonial rule led to a prolonged and bloody conflict, known as the Angolan War of Independence, which lasted from 1961 to 1974. Various nationalist movements, including the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA), and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), vied for power and control over the country. The political landscape was further complicated by the involvement of external powers, such as the United States and the Soviet Union, who supported different factions in the conflict. Ultimately, Angola gained independence in 1975, but the power struggle between the rival factions continued, leading to a civil war that lasted until 2002 and further exacerbated political instability in the country.
