ABSTRACT
Africa is well known for the production of national liberation movements (NLMs), stemming from a history of exploitation, colonisation and slavery. NLMs are generally characterised by a struggle carried out by or in the name of suppressed people for political, social, cultural, economic, territorial liberation and decolonisation. Dozens of NLMs have ascended to state power in Africa following a successful violent popular struggle either as an outright military victory or a negotiated settlement.
National Liberation Movements as Government in Africa analyses the performance of NLMs after they gain state power. The book tracks the initial promises and guiding principles of NLMs against their actual record in achieving socio-economic development goals such as peace, stability, state building and democratisation. The book explores the various different struggles for liberation, whether against European colonialism, white minority rule, neighbouring countries, or for internal reform or regime change. Bringing together case studies from Somalia, Somaliland, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Namibia, Angola, Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Algeria, the book builds a comprehensive analysis of the challenges NLMs face when ascending to state power, and why so many ultimately end in failure.
This is an ideal resource for scholars, policy makers and students with an interest in African development, politics, and security studies.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part I|40 pages
Conceptualisation and performance of liberation movements-cum-governments
part II|64 pages
Liberation struggles against European colonisation
chapter 5|15 pages
From former liberation movement to four decades in government
chapter 6|17 pages
From Cabral’s liberation movement to power struggle and ideological erosion
part III|36 pages
Liberation struggles against white minority rule
chapter 8|15 pages
The African National Congress
chapter 9|19 pages
ZANU-PF in power in Zimbabwe, 1980–2013
part IV|46 pages
Liberation struggles against annexation by neighbouring countries
part V|62 pages
Liberation struggles for reform (regime change)