Sam C. Nolutshungu

Soviet Involvement in Southern Africa

This article explores Soviet foreign policy toward southern Africa. Moscows approach to the region has been mainly one of restraint, and it has avoided additional economic and military burdens since the collapse of the Portuguese Empire. The region does not hold great strategic or economic significance for the Soviet Union, and Moscow is not willing to incur high risks. The author concludes that the changing pattern of Soviet influence in Africa is mainly a function of changes within African states. The deepening crisis in South Africa may point to the need for revolutionary solutions, but these would occur without Western aid and with minimal Soviet assistance.