ABSTRACT
In terms of United States (US) foreign policy towards Africa, the retreat of communism meant that the magnetic north of US foreign policy for nearly half a century—containment of Soviet influence—was no longer applicable on the continent. In the absence of a perceived hostile Soviet presence, key US foreign policy makers could find only marginal reasons for American involvement with Africa. As a result, from January 1990, a deliberate attempt was made to downgrade the continent's profile and prominence in US foreign policy. With Soviet communism in shambles at the start of 1990 and Moscow's efficacy limited, the fear of a race war was subsiding for the South African government. In part, this led President F. W. De Klerk on 2 February 1990 to unban opposition parties and to free Nelson Mandela, the personification of the anti-apartheid struggle. The government was rewarded with an easing of its international isolation.
