GOVERNMENT forces in Angola are claiming on Tuesday to have retaken from Unita rebels a strategically important town of Chongoroi some 500km south-east of Luanda. The town is situated on a road linking the industrial and agricultural province of Huila with the coastal town of Benguela. The army gave no details of casualties. Since November, the Angolan army has been fighting to “neutralise” Unita, whose forces are deployed in rural areas. In early February, government forces tried to take three Unita strongholds, including their key central towns of Andulo and Bailondo, but were repelled.