Foreign relations of Rhodesia

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Rhodesia

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Throughout the period of its Unilateral Declaration of Independence (1965 to 1979), Rhodesia pursued a foreign policy of attempting to secure recognition as an independent country, and insisting that its political system would include 'gradual steps to majority rule.' Ardently anti-communist, Rhodesia tried to present itself to the West as a front-line state against communist expansion in Africa, to little avail. Rhodesia never received any international recognition during its existence; recognition only occurred after elections in 1980 and a transition to black African rule.

Rhodesia wished to retain its economic prosperity and also feared communist elements in the rebel forces, and thus felt their policy of white minority rule was justified. However, the international community refused to accept this rationale, believing that their policies were perpetuating racism. This attitude was part of the larger decolonisation context, during which Western powers such as United Kingdom, France, and Belgium hastened to grant independence to their colonies in Africa.

Contents 1 Britain and the UDI 2 Sanctions 3 International perspective 3.1 Zambia 3.2 USA 3.3 Portugal 3.4 South Africa 4 Commonwealth Realm vs Republic 5 Legations 6 Results

[edit] Britain and the UDI

Rhodesia was originally a British colony. Although decolonisation in Africa had commenced after World War II, it began accelerating in the early 1960s, causing Britain to rapidly negotiate independence with several of its colonies. During this period, it adopted a foreign policy called NIBMAR, or No Independence Before Majority African Rule, mandating democratic reforms that placed governance in the hands of the majority black Africans. The governing white minority of Rhodesia, led by Ian Smith, opposed the policy and its implications. On 11 November 1965, Rhodesia's minority white government made a unilateral declaration of independence, or UDI, from the United Kingdom, as it became apparent that negotiations would not lead to independence under the white regime.

[edit] Sanctions

After the declaration of independence, and indeed for the entire duration of its existence, Rhodesia did not receive official recognition from any state, although it did maintain diplomatic relations with South Africa, another white minority regime, and Portugal, an authoritarian government which ceased relations with Rhodesia after its democratic Carnation Revolution in 1974. The day following the declaration of independence, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution (S/RES/216) calling upon all states to not accord Rhodesia recognition, and to refrain from any assistance. The Security Council also imposed selective mandatory economic sanctions, which were later made comprehensive.

[edit] International perspective

Rhodesia desired to be accepted as part of the international community and invoked the doctrine of non-intervention in internal affairs as justification for rebuking external criticism of its internal policies. However, the emerging doctrine of self-determination in colonial situations meant that most nations regarded Rhodesia as illegitimate because of the non-democratic nature of its regime.

[edit] Zambia

Zambia (the former Northern Rhodesia) took a pragmatic approach towards Rhodesia. It was heavily dependent on access through Rhodesia for its copper ore exports and fuel and power imports. Rhodesia still allowed Zambia to export and import its goods through its territory to Mozambique ports, despite the Zambian government's official policy of hostility and non-recognition of the post-UDI Smith Administration.

[edit] USA

The United States of America, like all other Western nations, refused to recognise Rhodesia, though unlike others, allowed its Consulate-General to function as a communications conduit between Washington DC and Salisbury. When Rhodesia set up an information office in Washington DC, there were loud protests by OAU nations, but Washington simply responded that as the Rhodesian mission and its staff had no official diplomatic status, it was not illegal under United States law.

[edit] Portugal

Portugal pursued a middle path with Rhodesia. While not officially recognising Rhodesia under Ian Smith, the government of Antonio Salazar did permit Rhodesia to establish a diplomatic mission in Lisbon, and permitted Rhodesian exports and imports through their colony of Mozambique. The Portuguese government in power at that time, which was authoritarian and ardently anti-communist, gave active behind-the-scenes support in Rhodesia's fight against the guerrilla groups.

When the government of Portugal was overturned in a military coup d'état in 1974, during the Carnation Revolution, the newly democratic government gave independence to their colonies, including Mozambique. In 1975, Mozambique came under control of FRELIMO, which closed its borders with Rhodesia and declared a state of belligerancy. The loss of Portuguese help through Mozambique was a severe blow to the Smith Administration, particularly after South Africa quashed a proposal from the Mozambique Colonial Government to leave Northern Mozambique for FRELIMO and set up a pro-Rhodesia administration south of the Zambezi River.

[edit] South Africa

South Africa, itself under international pressure as a white minority regime, was at this time pursuing a policy of détente with the black African states. These states wanted South Africa to pressure Ian Smith to accept a faster transition to majority rule in Rhodesia, in return for pledges of non-interference in South Africa's internal affairs. Prime Minister John Vorster, believing this to be South Africa's best chance for international acceptance, used a number of pressure tactics such as holding up shipments of fuel and ammunition to Rhodesia, and pulling out friendly South African forces from Rhodesia. The combination of the loss of Mozambique and the loss of support from South Africa were a critical blow to the Rhodesian government.

[edit] Commonwealth Realm vs Republic

Until late 1969, Rhodesia still recognised Queen Elizabeth II as head of state, even though it opposed the British Government itself for hindering its goals of independence. The Queen, however, refused to accept the title Queen of Rhodesia. Eventually, the Smith government abandoned attempts to remain loyal to the Crown, and in 1969, a majority of whites voted in referendum to declare Rhodesia a republic. They hoped that this move would facilitate recognition as an independent state by the international community, but the issues of white minority control remained and hindered this effort, and like UDI before it, the republic was unrecognised internationally.

[edit] Legations

After the UDI, Rhodesia House in London (the Rhodesian High Commission) simply became a representative office with no official diplomatic status. Other locations which had Rhodesian representative offices were:

• Until 1975
  • Lourenço Marques, Mozambique
  • Lisbon, Portugal

• Until 1979
  • Pretoria, South Africa
  • Washington, D.C., United States
  • Bonn, West Germany
  • Tokyo, Japan

The most important representative offices for Rhodesia were Lisbon and Pretoria.

[edit] Results

Continuing civil war and a lack of international support eventually led the Rhodesian government to submit to an agreement with the UK in 1979. This led to internationally supervised elections, won by ZANU-PF and Robert Mugabe, establishing the internationally-recognised Zimbabwe.