The conflict in Angola is related to the struggle for governmental power after independence from Portugal in 1975. The two main groups in conflict were the Soviet backed communist MPLA and the US/South Africa backed Unita. The groups engaged in heavy conflict for 16 years, then brokered a cease fire in 1994 which broke down again in 1999. The death of the Unita leader led to a ceasefire in 2002 which has held.