The GDR and Countries of Black Africa (1960—1989)

The article, based on documents from the Federal Archives of the Federal Republic of Germany — a sample of decisions on Tropical and Southern Africa from the minutes of meetings of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Socialist United Party of Germany for 30 years — from January 1960 to November 1989 inclusive — examines the entire range of relations between the GDR and the countries of Tropical and Southern Africa. Sources from other funds of the Federal Archive were also involved — the Foreign Policy Commission of the Politburo, the Office of Hermann Aхen and the Solidarity Committee of the GDR. Separate documents of the Foundation 5 (Apparatus of the Central Committee of the CPSU) of the RGANI were also used. Based on primary sources, the dynamics and main content of the GDR's African policy in 1960—1989s are considered. The analysis of the sources allows us to come to the following conclusions: 1. The main areas of cooperation between the GDR and African countries were: political and ideological support for “progressive” regimes, support for anti-colonial and liberation movements, early diplomatic recognition of newly independent African states, economic and technical assistance, military cooperation, “solidarity assistance” — cultural and educational cooperation, humanitarian assistance. 2. After the abolition of the “Halstein doctrine” in the early 1970s. the GDR gradually established and developed diplomatic relations with almost all the young African states. 3. The dynamics and volume of GDR aid to African countries were constantly increasing. 4. The main country directions also underwent significant changes — from Ghana (until 1966). Mali and Guinea in the 1960s to Angola, Mozambique and Ethiopia in the 1970s and 1980s. 5 Since the late 1970s, the GDR was particularly active in supporting the liberation movements of Southern Africa — the ANC and SWAPO.