The Front-Line States, South Africa and Southern African Security: Military Prospects and Perspectives

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Periodical article

Title:	The Front-Line States, South Africa and Southern African Security: Military Prospects and Perspectives
Author:	Evans, M.
Year:	1984-1985
Periodical:	Zambezia
Volume:	12
Pages:	1-19
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Southern Africa
Subjects:	regional security defence Politics and Government Inter-African Relations Military, Defense and Arms
External link:	https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.10520/AJA03790622_27
Abstract:	Since 1980 the central strategic feature of Southern Africa has been the existence of two diametrically opposed political, economic and security groupings in the subcontinent: South Africa's Constellation of Southern African States (CONSAS) scheme, and the coalition of Frontline States in the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC). The ongoing struggle for diplomatic supremacy has increasingly become ominously militarized for the Frontline following the initial confrontation of 1979-1980. While the disparity in the regional military balance of power clearly favours South Africa, there is an inherent paradox in the current strategic equation. South Africa is strong militarily and economically but weak ideologically since 80 percent of her population reject apartheid. In contrast, the Frontline States are ideologically strong but militarily and economically weak. And since ultimately Southern Africa cannot survive 'half racist and half nonracist', the two blocs are doomed to confrontation. Bibliogr., notes, ref.