The Africa Fund records, 1952-2001 | Amistad Research Center

The Africa Fund records cover the era independence movements on the African continent against the British, Dutch, French, German, and Portuguese colonial governments. The records document settler and exploitative colonialism that occurred in Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. The records also cover the era of civil wars within these African countries following independence, including South Africa's apartheid government and anti-apartheid campaigns there, as well as in the United States and Europe. The records document the relationship of the United States with these colonial powers and new governments, including policies toward minority regimes and the various political parties and coalitions of the indigenous independence movements in the region. The records' strength lies with materials regarding the anti-apartheid movements in South Africa and Namibia and highlight U.S. investment within them.

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) and; 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).