Why was the independence of Namibia delayed but achieved by 1990

(Make a viable introduction. Show why the independence of Namibia delayed, also explain the factors that favored the independence of Namibia in 1990. Conclude)

Namibia was colonized by Germany in the late 19th century. The territory was known as German Southwest Africa from 1884 until the end of World War I. After Germany’s defeat in the war, the League of Nations mandated South Africa to administer the territory. South Africa continued to control Namibia until its independence in 1990.

Several factors contributed to the delay of Namibia’s independence:

South African Occupation

• Apartheid Laws: South Africa extended its apartheid laws to Namibia, severely restricting political, social, and economic freedoms for black Namibians.
• Economic Interests: Namibia’s rich mineral resources, including uranium, diamonds, and other minerals, motivated South Africa to maintain control over the territory.

International Politics

• Cold War Dynamics: The geopolitical context of the Cold War influenced the international community’s response to Namibia’s independence struggle.
• Regional Alliances: South Africa formed alliances with other regional powers, such as Portugal and Southern Rhodesia, to suppress the independence movement.

Internal Divisions

• Tribalism: South Africa exploited tribal divisions within Namibia, playing different ethnic groups against each other to weaken the independence movement.
• Liberation Movements: The main liberation movements, SWAPO and SWANU, initially had internal conflicts and power struggles, which hindered their efforts.

Economic reasons

• Namibians were poor and could not afford to fund their struggles for independency

High illiteracy rate

• High illiteracy rates among African was an obstacle in their struggle for independence, for instance, it was had to spread the independence propaganda.

Poor infrastructure

• Poor road networks and other communication facilities hindered movement and dissemination of information.

Military Superiority of South Africa

• Strong Military: South Africa had a well-equipped and trained military, making it difficult for the liberation movements to achieve early independence.
• Guerrilla Warfare: The protracted guerrilla warfare campaign by SWAPO faced significant challenges due to South Africa’s military superiority.

International Mediation and Pressure

• UN Involvement: The United Nations played a crucial role in mediating the conflict and applying pressure on South Africa to relinquish control.
• Security Council Resolutions: Various UN Security Council resolutions, such as Resolution 435, aimed at facilitating Namibia’s transition to independence.

These factors collectively contributed to the delay of Namibia’s independence, which was finally achieved in 1990 after a long and arduous struggle.

Favorable factored for Namibian Independence

Several factors contributed to Namibia’s path to independence:

International Pressure

• United Nations: The UN played a crucial role in advocating for Namibia’s independence. Security Council Resolution 435 (1978) laid out a plan for Namibia’s transition to independence.
• Western Contact Group: Comprising the United States, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and West Germany, this group exerted diplomatic pressure on South Africa to relinquish control.

Liberation Movements

• SWAPO (Southwest Africa People’s Organization): SWAPO led the armed struggle against South African occupation and gained significant support from the Namibian population.
• Internal Resistance: The internal resistance movement within Namibia, including acts of sabotage and civil disobedience, weakened South Africa’s hold on the territory.

Regional Support

• Angolan Independence: Angola’s independence in 1975 provided SWAPO with a strategic ally and a base for launching military operations against South African forces.
• Support from Neighboring Countries: Countries like Zambia and Zimbabwe provided support to SWAPO, offering refuge and logistical assistance.

Economic Factors

• Resource Exploitation: South Africa’s exploitation of Namibia’s mineral resources became increasingly unsustainable, leading to economic pressures.
• International Sanctions: Economic sanctions and trade restrictions imposed on South Africa by the international community further strained its ability to maintain control over Namibia.

Global Political Climate

• End of Apartheid: The global movement against apartheid and the increasing isolation of South Africa on the international stage created a conducive environment for Namibia’s independence.
• Cold War Dynamics: The changing dynamics of the Cold War, with a shift towards supporting decolonization and self-determination, also played a role in Namibia’s independence.

These factors collectively contributed to the eventual independence of Namibia on March 21, 1990.

Please obtain free notes, exams and marking guides of Physics, chemistry, biology, history, from digitalteachers.co.ug website.

Thanks

Dr. Bbosa Science