Iko Carreira

General Henrique Teles Carreira, nicknamed and best known as Iko Carreira (1933–2000) served as the first Defense Minister of Angola from 1975 to 1980 during the civil war. After the death of Agostinho Neto his position in the party weakened. He later served as ambassador to Algeria and military attaché to Spain.

He was a fighter in the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola – Labour Party (MPLA), Agostinho Neto's armed wing fighting against Portuguese colonial rule. Founder and commander in chief of the Angolan Armed Forces, he defeated the FNLA in the north and UNITA in the south during the first civil war. As Secretary of Defense, he thwarted an attempt at a coup led by Nito Alves. Considered to be the regime's second in command until Neto's death, he was the first African military officer to receive a degree as a general from the Soviet Union 's (Academia de Estado- Maior).

General Iko Carreira knew and associated with Amílcar Cabral of Guinea-Bissau, Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique, and Lúcio Lara of Angola.