The family of Angolan rebel Jonas Savimbi, who was killed in battle in 2002, is seeking one million Euros in damages from the game’s publisher Activision Blizzard.
During the civil war that blew up in Angola following independence from Portugal in 1975, Savimbi founded and led the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola. The UNITA engaged in a fierce war with the government for 27 years before Savimbi was killed in 2002.
His death marked a turning point, which led to the peace deal ending one of Africa’s bloodiest civil wars. The conflict claimed at least half a million lives and forced more than four million civilians to flee their homes.
In the game, Savimbi is seen directing rebels from out of his van as enemy MPLA forces approach. He can be heard saying, “fight, my brothers” and "we must finish them… death to the MPLA."
The family's lawyer Carole Enfert said Savimbi is wrongfully portrayed as a “big halfwit who wants to kill everybody.” The lawyer calls the image a poor reflection of the man whom she calls a “political leader and strategist.”
Activision challenges those claims and argues Savimbi was portrayed for what he was, “a character of Angolan history, and a guerrilla chief who fought the MPLA".
Former Panama dictator Manuel Noriega in 2014 filed a lawsuit against Activision for their portrayal of him in another “Call of Duty” Game.
That case was thrown out.
