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African liberation movements

African liberation movements arose from a growing nationalism among previously divided African communities, the unfulfilled promise of self-determination following the end of World War II and the weakened economic and political capacities of Western Europe.

Our collection contains a wide range of materials representing liberation movements from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, and the Congo (DRC). Our collection also features containing Human Rights Reports from South Africa, IKWEZI, a revolutionary Azanian journal, and a sub-collection containing general resources about the continent. This collection includes audio and paper materials.

Strengths of the collection include materials on the role of women in African liberation struggles and national reconstruction, an interesting assortment of periodicals from Southern Africa, speeches and interviews with revolutionary leaders from across the continent, audio from solidarity events in the United States, and a set of human rights reports compiled during the transition from Apartheid to democracy in South Africa.

Subcollections

  • Africa- General Resources
    This collection contains general resources about various themes related to the African continent. The collection draws from many types of materials (periodicals, books, pamphlets) and many different countries (Kenya, Guinea, Tanzania).
  • Angola, Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique
    This collection contains materials from the liberation struggles in former Portuguese colonies. Guinea Bissau gained independence in 1973 and Mozambique and Angola achieved independence in 1975.
  • Anti-Apartheid Solidarity
    This collection contains materials from Bay Area anti-apartheid movements of the 1980s originating from various sources, primarily Bay Area-based South African solidarity groups.
  • Eritrea
    Eritrea is located in the Horn of Africa. It gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1991 after a 30 year struggle for independence.
  • IKWEZI
    IKWEZI is a revolutionary Azanian Journal based on Marxism-Leninism-Mao Tsetung Thought.
  • South Africa
    This collection contains a variety of materials which focus on the anti-apartheid movement both within and outside of South Africa.
  • South Africa: Human Rights Reports
    The Human Rights Commission published weekly, monthly and annual reports. In addition, occasional in-depth special reports were published on important human rights issues.
  • SWAPO- Namibia
    SWAPO (Southwest Africa Peoples Organization) was formed in 1960 to fight for liberation in present day Namibia. Namibia gained independence from South Africa in 1990.
  • Zaire-DRC
    This collection contains materials from the Congolese struggle against neocolonialism and the rule of General Mobuto Sese Seko.
  • Zimbabwe
    This collection contains information about the liberation struggle in Zimbabwe, mainly focused on the struggle against Rhodesia and white settler rule.

Documents

Conference on liberation struggles in Zimbabwe and the Congo. Conference on liberation struggles in Zimbabwe and the Congo.
Call Number: AFR 034Format: Cass A & BCollection: African liberation movements
Conference on liberation struggles in Africa, particularly Zimbabwe and the Congo. Judy Clark of the ZANU (Zimbabwe African National Union) Women’s League speaks on the ongoing struggle for liberation and reconstruction in Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa, and Congo. The ZANU Women’s League raises support for women fighting for liberation and equality. Serge Mukendi of the FLNC (Congolese National Liberation Front) speaks on the history of the struggle for independence in the Congo, and calls the people to fight for liberation against white colonialist structures. Judy Clark again speaks on the legacy and power of Patrice Lumumba in the continuing struggle for liberation in the Congo. Alajo Adegbalola, Minister of Defense for the Provisional government of the RNA (Republic of New Africa), speaks on the importance of the unity of the RNA in fighting for liberation in Africa. He also speaks on the history of black person’s struggle in America and the Civil Rights Movement.
Panel Discussion on the current state of Congo. Panel Discussion on the current state of Congo.
Call Number: AFR 062Format: Cass A & BCollection: Zaire-DRC
Panel discussion on the current state of Congo. Zairian Political Scientist Ilunga Kabongo speaks about the past struggles of Congo, and about former Congo Prime Minister and revolutionary Patrice Lumumba’s efforts in the struggle for liberation in Congo. He speaks about how FLN (National Liberation Front) was restricted because of revolutionary mercenaries from South Africa and other neighboring countries. He speaks about Congo’s abundance of natural resources as well. Next, Nzongola Ntalaja, Congolese Political Scientist, speaks about the continuing struggles in Congo, and about the struggle for autonomy in that country. He calls for the complete liberation of the Congolese people, and speaks about the struggle against Sese Seko Mobutu, president/dictator of Congo from 1930 - 1997, who had usurped power through a coup and was backed by Western powers. Ntalaja speaks about the struggle for a “second independence”, and the need to continue the struggle for liberation against Mobutu’s regime. On Side B, Dr. Tshiteya Mukona of Penn State University speaks about Mobutu’s Development policy of bribery, and how American foreign policy in Zaire (DRC - Democratic Republic of Congo) is supportive of Mobutu. Lastly, he speaks about the US’s role as a superpower and how it can influence other countries without destroying them.
Interview with Congolese National Liberation Front representative Interview with Congolese National Liberation Front representative
Date: 5/4/1985Call Number: AFR 072Format: Cass A & BCollection: Zaire-DRC
Interview with a representative of FLNC (Congolese National Liberation Front). He speaks on conditions in Congo, and revolutionary organizations, as well as the threat of outside influences on the organizations. Speaks about the role of the proletariat, and how they are exploited in third world countries but are key to the FLNC. The struggle continues, he says, and it is an international problem, which requires an international solution and cooperation between countries. Speaks about fighting against Sese Seko Mobutu in Congo, and lastly speaks about supporting Angola, SWAPO (Southwest African People’s Organization), Namibia, and South Africa - “their struggle is our struggle”. On Side B, the interviewer speaks about the FLNC, and understanding the United States government’s influence on Mobutu and in Congo.
Forum on the struggle for Angolan Independence Forum on the struggle for Angolan Independence
Call Number: KP 145Format: CassetteCollection: African liberation movements
Talk given by Steve Talbot discussing the state of Angola after its independence from Portugal. The history is given of the three struggling liberation movements: MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola), FNLA (National Front for the Liberation of Angola), and UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola) . With discussion of Cuban and Soviet support of MPLA as well as Chinese support of FNLA. U.S. involvement through funneling money to the Mobutu government of Zaire and factions in South Africa. Note: About three minutes at the end of this tape contain an interview with Pablo Martinez discussing his exit from rock and roll.
Our Banner is the Banner of Lumumba Our Banner is the Banner of Lumumba
Author: Serge MukendiPublisher: Material Aid Campaign for ZANU-PFFormat: MonographCollection: Zaire-DRC
Speeches by Serge Mukendi, US Representative of the FLNC
Constructive Engagement: The U.S. Strategy to Defeat African Liberation and Build Neo-colonialism Constructive Engagement: The U.S. Strategy to Defeat African Liberation and Build Neo-colonialism
Publisher: Revolution in Africa Action CommitteeFormat: MonographCollection: South Africa
A critical analysis of the current US policy toward Africa and an argument for building anti-imperialist solidarity with African liberation.