American Committee on Africa records addendum, 1949-2001 | Amistad Research Center

The American Committee on Africa (ACOA) records addendum (1949-2001; bulk 1971-1997) covers the era of Africa's liberation (independence) movements against British, Dutch, French, German, and Portuguese colonialism and their imperialistic policy toward the continent, including aspects of both settler and exploitation colonialism, mainly in the African countries of Angola, Guinea Bissau, Namibia, Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), and South Africa. The records also document the relationship of the United States and these colonial powers, as well as its role and policies toward the many minority regimes and the various political parties and coalitions of the indigenous independence movements in the region. The records are particularly strong with materials regarding the anti-apartheid movements in South Africa and Rhodesia and ACOA's many campaigns to assist these movements within each country, as well as within the United States and for the United Nations.

Main topics include: Anti-apartheid sanctions; consumer and cultural boycotts, demonstrations, and protests; enforcement of arms embargos; economic conditions and trade; detention, treatment, and release of African political prisoners; free and fair elections; human rights violations throughout Africa; liberation movements in southern Africa and post-independence civil war; divestment of public funds in banks and corporations dealing in southern Africa; and United States policy and legislative action.

Political parties and organizations represented in the records include: Angola's MPLA (People’s Movement for Liberation of Angola), FNLA (National Front for the Liberation of Angola), and UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola); Mozambique’s FRELIMO (Front for the Liberation of Mozambique); Guinea Bissau's PAIGC (African Party for the Independence of Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde); Rhodesia's ZANU (Zimbabwe African National Union), ZAPU (Zimbabwe People's Union), and UANC (United African National Council); and South Africa's ANC (African National Congress) and PAC (Pan Africanist Congress).

The records of the American Committee on Africa (ACOA) addendum are divided into three main file groups for the paper-based portion of the collection (Administration, Projects, and Research), with additional series for oversize items and audiovisual materials. The file unit order for each group and sub-group is generally alphabetical by category, organizational name, or topic then descending chronological order within each group.