Namibian Independence

Namibia, formerly South West Africa, became one of the last countries on the continent to gain independence, only in 1990. The founder of the South West African People's Organization (SWAPO) was Sam Nujoma, who became a key figure in the freedom struggle. In 1962, a paramilitary wing was created under SWAPO - the People's Liberation Army of Namibia. For a long time, Namibia was under the control of South Africa, which refused to comply with UN decisions to transfer the territory under international control, effectively annexing it.

SWAPO's struggle was carried out using both diplomatic and military methods. The USSR and socialist countries supported SWAPO by providing shelter, training and resources. The conflict in Namibia was closely linked to the war in Angola, as South Africa used Namibian territory to attack Angolan positions and support opposition groups. Only after the change in the international situation in the late 1980s, the withdrawal of South African troops and the implementation of UN resolutions, was it possible to hold free elections.

The victory of SWAPO and the election of Nujoma as president completed the process of decolonization in Africa. Namibia's history shows that the end of the colonial system spanned decades and required the concerted efforts of the international community. The country inherited a complex economic structure focused on resource extraction, but was able to maintain political stability after gaining sovereignty.