Mr Savimbi remains hunkered down in the central highlands, around the towns of Nharea, Mungo, Andulo and Bailundo, the symbolic capital of his Ovimbundu people.

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Another advance, north-east out of Huambo, has passed through the ruins of Bailundo and is said to be bogged down in fighting on the road to Andulo.

ECONOMIST: Angola: Battling, in the rain | The

However, the most telling revelation of these televised images was that, contrary to expectations, both Bailundo and Andulo appear to have emerged from the government's offensive virtually unscathed.

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UNITA's strongholds at Andulo and Bailundo in the central highlands.

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In Bailundo, a few buildings had lost their roofs.

ECONOMIST: Angola