The Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola (FALA), also known as Forces Armadas de Libertação de Angola in Portuguese, refers to the military organization and armed forces deployed during the liberation struggle in Angola. FALA was established as the armed wing of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), a Marxist-Leninist political movement formed in 1956 with the aim of attaining independence from Portuguese colonial rule.
The Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola played a pivotal role in Angola's fight for independence, as the organization spearheaded numerous military operations against the Portuguese colonial forces. FALA utilized both conventional and guerrilla warfare tactics to weaken and eventually drive out the Portuguese regime from Angola.
Comprising of trained soldiers, guerrilla fighters, and sympathizers, FALA coordinated its military operations with the MPLA's political activities to ensure a formidable challenge against the colonial forces. The organization's members underwent military training, had access to weapons and equipment, and operated on different fronts across Angola.
Following years of struggle, Angola finally achieved its independence from Portugal on November 11, 1975. Subsequently, the Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola transformed into the official military institution of the newly-formed People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola (FAPLA), becoming the national army tasked with protecting Angola's territorial integrity and defending its sovereignty.
In retrospect, FALA remains a significant historical entity as it symbolizes the military arm of the MPLA's liberation movement, which played a vital role in achieving Angola's independence and shaping the nation's post-independence political landscape.
