Namibia

Leaflet highlighting the failure of the Western contact group to secure the independence of Namibia. The AAM argued that UN mandatory sanctions should be imposed against South Africa to pressure it into withdrawing from Namibia.

South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) representative Shapua Kaukungua spoke at a rally to mark SWAPO’s 25th anniversary on 18 April 1985. The rally was organised by the AAM and the Namibia Support Committee.

Memorandum arguing for a review of British government policy on Namibia. The memorandum urged the British government to support mandatory measures against South Africa under Chapter VII of the UN Charter if South Africa continued to obstruct talks on Namibian independence.

Letter from Foreign Secretary Geoffrey Howe in response to the AAM’s memorandum ‘Britain and Namibia’. He stated that although the British government did not regard the withdrawal of Cuban forces from Angola as an essential precondition of Namibian independence, in practice withdrawal offered the best prospect for the success of negotiations.

In the 1980s the AAM campaigned to give Namibia a higher profile and make more people aware of South Africa’s illegal occupation. Local AA groups disseminated information and asked their members to take up the issue. This leaflet publicised a meeting held by Barnet AA Group in north London. It called for the implementation of UN resolutions on Namibian independence, withdrawal of British companies and the release of Namibian political prisoners.

Barclays Bank operated in Namibia as well as South Africa. This leaflet was distributed during the Free Namibia Week of Action, 25 October–1 November 1986. Shortly after its publication Barclays withdrew from South Africa and Namibia after a long-running campaign by anti-apartheid activists.

SWAPO Secretary-General Andimba Toivo ja Toivo was the main speaker at the conference that launched the 1986 International Week of Action on Namibia, 25 October–1 November. During the week many town halls flew the SWAPO flag and Sheffield, Glasgow and the London Borough of Ealing held civic receptions for Toivo ja Toivo and other SWAPO leaders. Public meetings were held in Birmingham, Hull and Manchester. 

This leaflet publicised the 1986 Week of Action on Namibia, 25 October–1 November. During the week many town halls flew the SWAPO flag and Sheffield, Glasgow and the London Borough of Ealing held civic receptions for SWAPO Secretary-General Andimba Toivo ja Toivo. Mass meetings were held in Birmingham, Hull and Manchester. Merseyside Health Authority agreed to sell its shares in RTZ because of RTZ’s huge mining operations in Namibia.