Revolutionary Government of Angola in Exile

The Revolutionary Government of Angola in Exile ( _pt. Govêrno revolucionário de Angola no exílio, GRAE) was a government-in-exile led by the National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA), based in Kinshasa, Congo-Kinshasa. Holden Roberto was the president of GRAE. GRAE was founded in April 1962. GRAE had its armed forces stationed in Congo-Kinshasa and conducted military training there.Whitaker, Paul M.. " [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0022-278X%28197004%298%3A1%3C15%3ATRO%27A%3E2.0.CO%3B2-L The Revolutions of 'Portuguese' Africa] ", in The Journal of Modern African Studies, Vol. 8, No. 1. (Apr., 1970), pp. 15-35.]

However, as Moise Tshombe became Prime Minister in Congo-Kinshasa, Congolese aid for GRAE was reduced. In July 1964, the Foreign Minister of GRAE, Jonas Savimbi, resigned (in 1966 he would form a movement of his own, UNITA).

Initially, GRAE forces fought mainly in the northern Dembo forests. However, in early 1969 GRAE opened a second front along the Zambian border.

OAU recognition

When the Organization for African Unity was founded in 1963, GRAE was granted exclusive recognition as the legitimate government of Angola, a move which spurred the Congolese government to expell the MPLA forces (a rival liberation movement to FNLA) from Congo-Kinshasa. However, in 1964 OAU also recognized MPLA as a legitimate liberation movement, and gradually support was reduced for GRAE. [ [http://www.c-r.org/our-work/accord/angola/profiles.php Angola: Profiles ] ] In the period 1971-1972 GRAE received 61666 pounds sterling from the OAU, 5.69% of the total amounts donated by the OAU to different African liberation movements at the time. During the same period, OAU gave MPLA 180334 pounds sterling. [Gonidec, Pierre François. "African Politics". The Hague: Matinus Nijhoff, 1981. p. 272]

International linkages

GRAE constituted a bloc of African movements, together with the Pan-Africanist Congress (South Africa), Revolutionary Committee of Mozambique and Zimbabwe African National Union. Through this cooperation, GRAE gave some military assistance to its Mozambiquean counterpart. In the 1960s, GRAE received a large share of humanitarian aid for Angolan refugees from Western sources. GRAE was supported by China. GRAE did also receive some assistance from the Soviet bloc.

References