ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the interaction between independent or Black African states and South Africa from the perspective of how this interaction involves, shapes, or changes security issues. It focuses on the roots of the conflict between White and Black Africa; African liberation efforts, the collective military arrangements against a possible South African counterattack, and the effects of the liberation struggle on South Africa's internal and external policies during the period 1963-1972. The chapter explores independent African nations' offensive and defensive measures against South Africa as well as South Africa's reaction to them during the period from 1973 to the present. Alerted to the possible schisms in African Solidarity that might result from a response to the Vorster regime's initiatives, several African states met to coordinate their responses. African nations, in the twenty years since the creation of the Organization of African Unity, have been consistent and united in their goal of South African Liberation.
