SOUTHERN AFRICA-Clash of Imperialisms

Clash of Imperialisms (By a Special Correspondent) SOUTHERN AFRICA is fast emerging as the focal point of super power rivalry in the third world. Within the neocolonial world, it is in Africa that the influence of the older imperial powers has survived the longest. US hegemony over Latin America was ensured as early as in the latter part of the 19th century. After the Second World War, American expansion was principally aimed at Europe and Asia. In Africa, the continent with the least developed productive; forces, the US was content to leave the imperial umbrella of the former colonial powers standing so long as of door was also open to American enterprise. Today, Africa, particularly its southern half, represents the weakest link in the American imperial chain. Hence this region is today the focus of the expansionist activities of a late-coming imperialism, Russian social- imperialism, Angola was but the first act in a struggle that has barely begun. It was also the first indication of the maturity of social-imperialism, that it is willing to fight tooth and nail for a re- division of the world. So long as Russian assistance to the MPLA was limited to the supply of armaments, it was difficult to see how the latter could secure a military victory. Since it did not posses the necessary popular support and organisation, the MPLA could not have waged a people's war. Rut the war that was right in Angola was a conventional war, moreover a war by proxy, fought principally between the mercenaries and the Cubans, the latter numbering upwards of 11,000, guided by nearly 1,000 Russian advisors. " Today, the focus of super-power rivalry is shifting from Angola to neighbouring Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) where Smith's rebel regime has held power for nearly 10 years. Furthermore, in Zimbabwe, as in Angola, the liberation movement has been split into two camps; the Sithole-Muzorewa faction (ANC) outside Zimbabwe and the Nkomo faction (former ZAPU) within. For the last many years, the Russians have supported Nkomo, who has himself been recently involved in a "dialogue" with Smith, one that has yet to yield any tangible result.