2005/02/22 by Charles D. Melson · 1 citation
Social Sciences · #African studies and sociopolitical issues #African history and culture studies #Global Maritime and Colonial Histories #Sustenance #Security forces #Special forces #Independence (probability theory) #Dominance (genetics) #Nationalism #Political science #Insurgency #Political economy #Population #Law #Use of force #Sociology #International law #Politics
paper · doi:10.1080/0959231042000322567
openalex publication_date 2005/02/22 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
The self-governing colony of Southern Rhodesia in Africa fought a low-intensity conflict for more than a decade as part of its bid for independence and dominance of its African majority population by a European minority. Crucial to this was a small professional armed force (police, Army and Air Force) that was able to provide internal security, border control and conduct successful counter-insurgency operations within its own borders. When the Frontline States of Zambia, Botswana and Mozambique provided active sanctuary and sustenance for nationalist forces, the Rhodesians launched external operations spearheaded to a large extent by its special forces to ‘detect, destroy, delay, disrupt and deceive’ terrorists or guerillas. In the end, Rhodesian special forces were the supported rather than a supporting effort.