The Day of the Liberation of Southern Africa is observed in Angola every March 23, commemorating the end of the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, a significant engagement during the Angolan Civil War and the South African Border War. This public holiday was established in 2018 following a proposal by Angola's then-Minister of National Defense, João Lourenço, at the SADC summit. The battle, fought between UNITA, supported by South Africa, and the MPLA, aided by Cuba and SWAPO, lasted over seven months and concluded with both sides claiming victory on March 23, 1988. The day is celebrated to honor the historical struggles for liberation in the region, particularly the interconnected conflicts that shaped Southern Africa's political landscape. The Southern African Development Community (SADC), which includes 16 member states, played a crucial role in the establishment of this holiday, although there were differing opinions on the date of celebration among member states.