Jeremias Chitunda

Jeremias Kalandula Chitunda (February 20, 1942 – November 2, 1992) was an Angolan politician who served as vice president of UNITA until his assassination in Luanda, as part of the Halloween Massacre shortly after the first round of the presidential election, held on September 29–30. He was UNITA's second-in-command, after Jonas Savimbi.

Early life and education

Chitunda was born in Chimbuelengue, Angola, on February 20, 1942, to Emilio Chitunda and Rosalina Kalombo, attended Chimbuelengue and Dondi Mission School in Bela Vista before proceeding to João de Castro College and the Huambo National Secondary School. He later received a scholarship to attend the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, where he obtained a degree in mining engineering.

Political career

Chitunda moved from Angola to Zaire, fearing arrest by the Portuguese colonial authorities. In 1966, he joined UNITA, serving as its representative to the U.S. southwest before being promoted to representative to the U.S. in 1976. He became vice president of UNITA in August 1986 at UNITA's sixth party congress.

Assassination

In 1992, after decades of war between UNITA and the governing MPLA, the first Presidential elections were scheduled. José Eduardo dos Santos officially received 49.57% of the vote and UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi won 40.6%. Because no candidate received 50% of the vote, election law dictated a second round of voting between the top two contenders.