Sweden and national liberation in Southern Africa. Vol. 1, Formation of a popular opinion (1950-1970)

In 1969, the Swedish parliament endorsed a policy of direct assistance to the liberation movements in Southern Africa. Sweden thus became the first Western country to enter into a relationship with organizations that elsewhere in the West were shunned as ‘Communist’ or ‘terrorist’. This book traces the background to the relationship. Presenting the actors and the factors behind the support to MPLA of Angola, FRELIMO of Mozambique, SWAPO of Namibia, ZANU and ZAPU of Zimbabwe and ANC of South Africa, it addresses the question why Sweden established those close relations with the very movements that eventually would assume state power in their respective countries. The second volume (appearing in late 1999) will discuss how the support was expressed, covering the period from 1970 to 1994.Contents: Introduction – Sweden after the second world – Foreign affairs and economic relations with Southern Africa – Decolonization and beginnings of Swedish aid – Forerunners of a popular opinion – Sweden in South Africa – Reactions to apartheid -- ANC, boycotts and nascent relations – From popular solidarity to official support – Namibia : from SWANU to SWAPO – To Zimbabwe via Zambia – Sweden, ZANU and ZAPU – Angolan insurrections and Swedish reactions – Towards official support to MPLA – The Mondlanes and FRELIMO of Mozambique – The shadow of Cabora Bassa