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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:South African regional policy before and after Cuito Cuanavale
Author:Davies, Robert
Year:1990
Periodical:South African Review - SARS
Issue:5
Pages:166-180
Language:English
Geographic terms:South Africa
Southern Africa
Subjects:foreign policy
foreign intervention
military intervention
Abstract:South Africa's militaristic aggression and destabilization which characterized 1987 and the first quarter of 1988 was a continuation of the cycle which began in mid-1985. The three main fronts of regional destabilization continued to be the war in Angola, the covert war in Mozambique, and acknowledged or clandestine raids against antiapartheid activists, particularly ANC members, in regional States. However, the balance of forces in the Southern African region changed significantly during 1988. In that year, the SADF (South African Defence Force) suffered a major setback at Cuito Cuanavala in Angola. SADF units, together with large numbers of the South West African Territory Force and UNITA surrogate forces, failed to capture this town. Reverses were also suffered on the other fronts of destabilization. A new regional conjuncture began emerging, which implied some losses for South Africa, but also opened up opportunities to advance other goals through economic and diplomatic action. The most likely scenario for future developments is that there will be a partial pullback from destabilization in some parts of the region. In these areas Pretoria will encourage involvement by South African capital. Pretoria also expects that the new regional context will reduce international pressure, including the threat of sanctions. Ref.
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