In 1670, the Portuguese were routed at the Battle of Kitombo by the forces of the Count of Soyo Estevão da Silva, supported by the Dutch.

Meanwhile, pro-Portuguese King Luís was driven from the throne of Kitombo by a rival, Dom António Carrasco, who likewise slaughtered the Portuguese in the settlement.

[2] At the same time, as many Portuguese soldiers and Imbangala mercenaries as possible were assembled from the garrisons at Ilamba, Lumbo, Massangano, Cambambe, Muxima and elsewhere.

[2] The Portuguese marched their forces from Ambaca to Pungo Andongo on August 2, under constant harassment by African skirmishes, who sought to prevent the Europeans from closing in on the stronghold.

[4] All attempts at diplomatic talks were met with vigorous and violent rejection by the besieged, hence the Portuguese initiated the construction of siege-works in expectation for a drawn-out siege, digging trenches and erecting barricades, while the forces of Andongo frequently conducted sallies against them.

[2] On August 27 1671, a particularly vigorous attack commanded by Dom Diogo Cabanga, brother of the king of Andongo, on Portuguese lines was repulsed by small arms and cannon fire.