Starting as early as the 1960s, the struggle for national liberation in the former Portuguese colonies prompted an international solidarity promoted by different entities. International governments and forums, non-governmental organizations, such as churches, trade unions and political, student and women’s organizations endorsed often more than one of the liberation movements in the former Portuguese colonies of Angola, Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau. The solidarity was motivated by different ideological commitments that surpassed the national boundaries and shifted as regional or transnational interests dictated. Despite the efforts lately carried out to study examples of international solidarity, particularly regarding the anti-apartheid movement, less attention has been given to the former Portuguese colonies and their ties within the Global South specifically, and at large on the Cold War arena. This issue of afriche e orienti intends to fulfill this gap, exploring the international dimension of the struggle for independence of Angola, Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau. The issue will present detailed accounts, exploring the wide range of activities developed at state level, by Brazil, Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, in support to the mobilization against the Portuguese colonialism. In what concerns the international organizations, the initiatives undertook by the European Community in order to convince the Portuguese government to take action towards decolonization will be highlighted. The commitment of non-state actors in providing moral, political and material assistance to the fight for independence will be covered by case studies from France and Switzerland. In addition, the issue will address the role of individual personalities, specifically Robert van Lierop, and his support to the struggle for independence in Mozambique.
International Solidarities and the Liberation of the Portuguese Colonies
Corrado Tornimbeni;
2017
Abstract
Starting as early as the 1960s, the struggle for national liberation in the former Portuguese colonies prompted an international solidarity promoted by different entities. International governments and forums, non-governmental organizations, such as churches, trade unions and political, student and women’s organizations endorsed often more than one of the liberation movements in the former Portuguese colonies of Angola, Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau. The solidarity was motivated by different ideological commitments that surpassed the national boundaries and shifted as regional or transnational interests dictated. Despite the efforts lately carried out to study examples of international solidarity, particularly regarding the anti-apartheid movement, less attention has been given to the former Portuguese colonies and their ties within the Global South specifically, and at large on the Cold War arena. This issue of afriche e orienti intends to fulfill this gap, exploring the international dimension of the struggle for independence of Angola, Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau. The issue will present detailed accounts, exploring the wide range of activities developed at state level, by Brazil, Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, in support to the mobilization against the Portuguese colonialism. In what concerns the international organizations, the initiatives undertook by the European Community in order to convince the Portuguese government to take action towards decolonization will be highlighted. The commitment of non-state actors in providing moral, political and material assistance to the fight for independence will be covered by case studies from France and Switzerland. In addition, the issue will address the role of individual personalities, specifically Robert van Lierop, and his support to the struggle for independence in Mozambique.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
