Angola will re-enlist rebel leader Jonas Savimbi's body

The exiled body of Angolan rebel leader Jonas Savimbi, who was killed in 2002, will be re-buried in his hometown next month, authorities said after DNA tests confirmed the body's identity.

The charismatic warlord, who fought the Angolan socialist government in a 27-year civil war, was killed in a battle against the forces of the People's Liberation Movement of Angola (MPLA) on February 22, 2002.

His death paved the way for a peace deal ending one of the longest and bloodiest conflicts in Africa, which erupted after Portugal's independence in 1975.

He was buried the day after his death in the province of Moxico, in eastern Angola.

Six weeks after his death, his Unita movement signed a peace treaty with the MPLA government.

DNA tests, conducted by laboratories from South Africa, Argentina, Portugal and Angola, confirmed that it was the body of Mr. Savimbi.

"All tests are agreed," State Minister Pedro Sebastiao told reporters on Monday.

The rebel leader will be re-buried in his hometown, Lopitanga, on 1 June.

"It's a relief to know that it is his body and that we will bring him back to where he wanted to be buried," said one of his sons, Alleluia Sakaita-Savimbi. AFP.

Unita campaigned for Savimbi to receive a dignified funeral, and President Joao Lourenco set up a commission last year to exhume and restore his mortal remains.

Lourenco came to power in 2017 as head of the MPLA party, succeeding José Eduardo dos Santos, who ruled for 38 years.