President Dos Santos´ Role at Cuito Cuanavale Battle Highlighted

The commander of the sixth military region, stationed in the south east Kuando-Kubango province, lieutenant-general António Valeriano highlighted the wise manner how the Angolan Head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos, defined the strategy for the national army’s triumph over the South African Apartheid regime, during the Cuito Cuanavale Battle.

The lieutenant-general added that “the battle had a good leadership, with the direct participation of the President and Commander-in-chief of the troops, who led wisely the economy, prepared the army staff and the policy for the armed conflict”.
According to the officer, that during the battle was the commander of the 25th region, one of the most important regiments of the conflict, President Dos Santos defined a fair policy, which aimed at defending the sovereignty threatened by the South African army. The strategy was outlined and led by the Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces and counted with the help of capable officers and leaders, he added.

Concerning weapons, he referred that the Angolan army was inferior compared to the South African, but we had determination. “They did not consider our capacity, they were confident with the G-5 weapon, and with the modern military tanks, thinking that it was enough to defeat the FAPLA forces at that time and occupy Cuito Cuanavale", stressed the senior officer.

On the other hand, he expressed confidence towards the new perspectives for Cuito Cuanavale district, since the government is engaged in the social and economic development of the region for the benefit of the population who were affected by the armed conflict.