20th century – 20th century
Rhodesia
The Rhodesian liberation struggle followed Ian Smith’s 1965 Unilateral Declaration of Independence and was shaped by divisions between ZANU and ZAPU. The OAU initially demanded that Britain suppress the rebellion, later accepted sanctions as the practical international policy, and struggled to coordinate assistance. After the 1974 unification of nationalist forces under the African National Council, the OAU recommended substantial aid in 1975 and supported the Patriotic Front after 1976.
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The Story
Rhodesia became a central test of Pan-African opposition to white minority rule after Ian Smith’s illegal Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965. In 1963 the OAU had already urged Britain not to transfer power to Rhodesia’s minority regime; after the declaration, it demanded that Britain crush the rebellion or face the severing of diplomatic relations by OAU members. The policy expressed a firm rejection of minority rule, but implementation proved uneven.
By 1966, the OAU had reluctantly recognized that its original response was impracticable and accepted the British and United Nations policy of sanctions, though without conviction. The Liberation Committee also confronted a split between ZANU and ZAPU, divisions that continued to weaken the liberation struggle. In 1974 the nationalist forces unified under the African National Council, enabling the committee to recommend substantial assistance in 1975.
After 1976, OAU policy moved away from détente and supported the Patriotic Front. This shift reflected the increased influence within the Liberation Committee of President Samora Machel of Mozambique, who backed Robert Mugabe’s faction. The earlier détente strategy had hoped that South African pressure and regional realism might persuade Ian Smith to accept majority rule, but the Patriotic Front regarded the September 1976 concession as another attempt to delay settlement while preserving white control.
20th century – 20th century
Rhodesia
The Rhodesian liberation struggle followed Ian Smith’s 1965 Unilateral Declaration of Independence and was shaped by divisions between ZANU and ZAPU. The OAU initially demanded that Britain suppress the rebellion, later accepted sanctions as the practical international policy, and struggled to coordinate assistance. After the 1974 unification of nationalist forces under the African National Council, the OAU recommended substantial aid in 1975 and supported the Patriotic Front after 1976.
Continue exploring
The Story
Rhodesia became a central test of Pan-African opposition to white minority rule after Ian Smith’s illegal Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965. In 1963 the OAU had already urged Britain not to transfer power to Rhodesia’s minority regime; after the declaration, it demanded that Britain crush the rebellion or face the severing of diplomatic relations by OAU members. The policy expressed a firm rejection of minority rule, but implementation proved uneven.
By 1966, the OAU had reluctantly recognized that its original response was impracticable and accepted the British and United Nations policy of sanctions, though without conviction. The Liberation Committee also confronted a split between ZANU and ZAPU, divisions that continued to weaken the liberation struggle. In 1974 the nationalist forces unified under the African National Council, enabling the committee to recommend substantial assistance in 1975.
After 1976, OAU policy moved away from détente and supported the Patriotic Front. This shift reflected the increased influence within the Liberation Committee of President Samora Machel of Mozambique, who backed Robert Mugabe’s faction. The earlier détente strategy had hoped that South African pressure and regional realism might persuade Ian Smith to accept majority rule, but the Patriotic Front regarded the September 1976 concession as another attempt to delay settlement while preserving white control.
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