LUANDA , Angola ( Reuters ) -- Holden Roberto , a central figure in Angola 's struggle for independence from Portugal , died on Thursday in the capital of Luanda , the state newspaper said on Friday . Holden Roberto , left , a father of Angola 's independence , shown in 1975 . He died August 2 , 2007 , in Luanda . Roberto founded the National Front for the Liberation of Angola ( FNLA ) in the early 1960s and presided over the party until his death at age 84 , the Jornal de Angola said . It said he died of an illness but did not give details . Roberto was one of the leaders who signed accords that led to the country 's independence in 1975 . Angola then fell into a civil war spanning nearly three decades that killed around 1 million people and displaced millions more . Roberto , who moved to Paris at independence , came back to Angola to take part in elections in 1992 which were followed by political turmoil . The presidential poll was aborted after a disputed first round , prompting a return to the conflict between the rebel National Union for the Total Independence of Angola ( UNITA ) and government forces . The war ended in 2002 . The FNLA is Angola 's third-biggest opposition party after UNITA , with five members in parliament . Angola , which is enjoying an oil boom , high economic growth and widespread foreign investment , is expected to hold parliamentary and presidential elections in 2008 and 2009 , the first national polls in some 15 years . E-mail to a friend . Copyright 2007 Reuters . All rights reserved.This material may not be published , broadcast , rewritten , or redistributed .
Roberto a central figure in Angola 's struggle for independence from Portugal . Founded the National Front for the Liberation of Angola ( FNLA ) in early 1960s . In 1972, he was elected to parliament and became minister of defense. Roberto moved to Paris , returned in 1992 for elections , period of political turmoil .