Neto, (Antonio) Agostinho (1922–1979)

Angolan nationalist and politician, president 1974–79. A member of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), he was imprisoned several times between 1952 and 1962, but escaped to the Congo where he became president and leader of the MPLA in the guerrilla war against Portuguese colonialism. His close ties with Fidel Castro gave him Cuban and Soviet backing, and enabled him to prevail in the civil war following the Portuguese withdrawal. In 1974 he became the first president of Angola, holding the post until his death.

Neto was the son of a Methodist missionary, and was educated in a Methodist school in Luanda before studying medicine in Portugal. He returned to Angola to work in the colonial medical service and joined the MPLA.