He also denied reports that Angolan troops had joined the rebels.
But he resurfaced five years later, backed by Angolan troops, and grabbed back the presidency in a brief but bloody civil war.
Angolan troops, in response, give chase as if the border were not there.
But Angolan troops did take part in the final push on Kinshasa last week, American Government officials said.
By the end of 1999 the rebels had lost all their key positions to the government forces, who were backed by Angolan troops.
However, according to UN officials, Angolan troops were in fact involved.
The statement today from the military in Windhoek said 190 guerrillas and Angolan troops had been killed but gave no breakdown of the casualties.
Angolan troops killed Savimbi in 2002, bringing the civil war to an end.
Now we have had a change of government, the old dictator is back, and the Angolan troops and mercenaries are still present.
Western analysts have expressed skepticism that Angolan troops could have maintained control without the Cubans.