“Call of Duty” Faces Lawsuit for Alleged Defamation of Fallen Angolan Rebel Leader

The family of Jonas Savimbi, the late Angolan rebel leader, has initiated a lawsuit against the creators of the wildly popular video game “Call of Duty”. At the heart of the dispute is their accusation that their father’s character was inaccurately portrayed as a “barbarian”. This revelation was made public on Thursday by the family’s legal representatives.

Residing in the Paris region, three of Savimbi’s children are seeking a substantial sum of one million euros in damages. This lawsuit, which has been filed against the French division of game publisher Activision Blizzard, sets a precedent as a novel case of defamation concerning a video game character. The legal teams on both sides are watching developments closely.

Savimbi, remembered as both charismatic and controversial, established the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). His leadership is marked by a prolonged 27-year civil war with the government based in Luanda. The former leader met his end on the battlefield by MPLA government forces back in 2002, clearing the path for a peace agreement that eventually concluded one of the most enduring and violent conflicts in Africa, a struggle that
emerged following Angola’s independence from Portugal in 1975.

The protracted war resulted in the deaths of at least half a million individuals and compelled approximately four million civilians to abandon their homes in the resource-rich nation.

Often seen in a distinctive uniform complete with a jaunty red beret, Savimbi was both bellicose and spirited. The familial legal dispute emerged ten years after his death when “Call of Duty” unveiled the character in their sequel “Black Ops II” in 2012. Savimbi was featured in a scene leading his soldiers from atop a tank amidst a hail of gunfire, shouting impassioned orders like “fight, my brothers” and “we must finish them… death to the MPLA”.

The family’s lawyer, Carole Enfert, has argued that the video game’s depiction of Savimbi, who was affectionately known as the “Black Cockerel” by his supporters, is a gross misrepresentation. “He is portrayed as a big halfwit who just wants to kill everybody, an outrageous image that does not correlate with his personality as a political leader and strategist.” “A warlord, yes, but he was also a significant figure during the Cold War and was an ally of Nelson Mandela,” she added.

In contrast, Activision Blizzard’s legal representative, Etienne Kowalski denied these allegations stating, “Savimbi is represented for who he truly was, a prominent figure in Angolan history and a guerrilla leader who fought the MPLA.”

As the case continues to unfold and the debate over representation in media gains momentum, this groundbreaking case presents both the gaming industry and its followers a unique perspective on how historical figures are depicted in the world of video games.