The American-Soviet Confrontation in Africa: Its Impact on the Politics of Africa

Abstract

Despite enormous Soviet arms supplies to Africa, the V.S. stressed economic assistance throughout the 1970s and did not increase arms shipments. However, the fall of the Shah of Iran, the leftist regime in Mozambique and the Soviet-Cuban military build-up in Ethiopia and Angola, completely changed V.S. strategy in the 1980s. American emphasis shifted to the Horn of Africa. Increased aid was funneled to Kenya, Somalia and the Sudan. Support for Southern Africa states was minimal. The Reagan administration viewed South Africa as a bulwark against Communism and the Namibian question became stalemated.