New Phase of Politics in Southern Africa: From ‘Monopolistic’ to working ‘Duopoly’ and Multiparty Systems

By Fidel Amakye Owusu

Southern Africa emerged as a significant regional security complex profoundly influenced by the dynamics of the Cold War.

During the 1960s and 1970s, ideologically driven conflicts erupted in Angola and Mozambique, then Portuguese colonies. By the mid-1970s, Cuban forces, backed by the Soviet Union, actively supported the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) in its struggle to liberate Angola from colonialism.

These conflicts extended to South-West Africa, now Namibia, which had been under South African control since World War I. While Cuban and Soviet forces supported one side, Western powers, particularly Apartheid South Africa, aligned with opposing factions.

Similar dynamics unfolded in Mozambique.

The resolution of these conflicts required extensive negotiations involving Cuba, eventually leading to a fragile peace. South-West Africa gained independence in 1990, following Zimbabwe’s liberation a decade earlier.

Political stability returned to Angola and Mozambique, paving the way for multiparty democracy in South Africa.

The early 1990s and subsequent decade saw the emergence of new political systems dominated by liberation parties. The African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa, the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) in Namibia, the MPLA in Angola, and the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) in Mozambique became central to their nations’ political landscapes.

Initially celebrated for their roles in achieving liberation, these parties faced minimal opposition for decades. However, recent developments signal shifting dynamics.

In Angola, the opposition party, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), gained significant ground in recent elections. In South Africa, the ANC’s long-standing political dominance ended this year.

Mozambique’s elections have been marred by violence, with allegations of fraud against the ruling party, while SWAPO faces unprecedented challenges in Namibia’s upcoming general elections.

Several factors contribute to this decline in support for liberation parties. A younger generation often feels disconnected from the ideals of the 1990s.

Additionally, rising inequality, youth unemployment, corruption, and perceptions of unresponsive governance have eroded public trust.

The call for change, often driven by frustration with decades of single-party rule, reflects a desire for fresh leadership and new perspectives. Many young voters are eager for transformative ideas to address the region’s evolving challenges.

Fidel Amakye Owusu is an International Relations and Security Analyst. He is an Associate at the Conflict Research Consortium for Africa and has previously hosted an International Affairs program with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC). He is passionate about Diplomacy and realizing Africa’s global potential and how the continent should be viewed as part of the global collective.