Post Conflict Development Countries |
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Namibia |
Germany declared a protectorate over Namibia, formerly South West Africa, in 1884.
South Africa seized it during World War I and administered it as a colony under
a League of Nations mandate.
Upon the disbanding of the League of Nations in 1946, South Africa refused to accept
UN trusteeship authority.
In 1960, Ethiopia and Liberia initiated proceedings in the International Court of
Justice (ICJ) to have South Africa charged with failing to fulfill the terms of
the mandate. Marxist separatist group SWAPO was formed in 1960, aimed at achieving
independence.
In a 1971, the ICJ upheld UN authority over Namibia, determining that the South
African presence in Namibia was illegal.
Under a 1974 Security Council resolution, South Africa was required to begin the
transfer of power. But, fearful of communist influence, South Africa refused to
implement its terms for another decade.
Finally, in 1988, under US-led pressure the South Africans conceded independence
in return for a Cuban withdrawal from Angola.
Namibians achieved independence in 1990. That same year, secessionists in eastern
Namibia forced thousands to seek a refuge in Botswana.
Regardless of the expropriation of white-owned farms that began in 2004, inter-racial
reconciliation efforts encouraged many white Namibians to stay.
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