Avelino Henrique Saíde Vieira Dias Rodrigues Mingas (13 February 1934 – 27 May 1977) was an Angolan revolutionary, economist, writer, and politician who was a notable figure in the anti-colonial struggle for independence in Angola.
[6] While in Cuba, he graduated as an economist at the Instituto de Planificación Física and earned a doctorate degree in economics from the University of Havana.
He obtained the rank of major,[6] and became a member of and fighting with the People's Armed Forces of Liberation of Angola (EPLA) under the pseudonym Lutuima.
[6] After his roles on the Eastern Front and in Lusaka, he rose quickly to leadership positions in the MPLA, going on to become a part of the inner circles of Neto and Lara, mainly during the Active Revolt in Brazzaville.
[8] Frustrated and obliged to, he received permission with other commanders to reformulate the EPLA and transformed it into the People's Armed Forces of Liberation of Angola (FAPLA).
His participation contributed to his rapid ascension into leadership positions in the MPLA, including being elected to the Central Committee of the Movement.
[10] The functions of the transitional governments cabinet were suspended in August 1975, with Mingas returning to combat as a major in FAPLA, being on the front lines to capture Luanda.
[12] With the proclamation of Angolan independence on 11 November 1975, he took office as part of the aforementioned Revolutionary Council,[13] along with heading the Directory of Finance and Accounting Services.
[15] By 1976, there began to be a secretly formed opposition group within the MPLA called the Fractionists (or the nitistas), that had promoted inflammatory rhetoric against a purported “white-mestiço elite”, as well as against socioeconomic policies that they had attributed to the continuing widespread and deeply embedded poverty in Angola.
[13] Various national leaders were taken hostage, among them Mingas, who had driven to meet with Neto and lead a group to attempt to retake the 9th Brigade headquarters and take control of the mutinous troops.
[13] Mingas was captured by the nitistas from DISA and was taken, along with Eugénio Nzaji and other military personnel against the revolt, to Sambizanga, where they were later burned alive.