9 External Barriers and Limitations to Economic Independence in Southern Africa José A. da Conceição Chichava Introduction e 1960s and 1970s was a noble moment for Africa, marked by the decolonization and independence of many African countries. However, Southern Africa had another lucky moment. In this region, there was resistance from the colonizers to the process of self-determination and independence, which led to the fact that in these countries, independence(or democratic change) was attained through national liberation struggles organized by emerging nationalist movements. In 1963, African Heads of State and Governments created the Organization of African Unity(OAU), as an instrument to promote political and economic cooperation. And in the Southern African sub-region, the OAU established the Africa Liberation Committee, based in Dar es Salaam and led by Tanzania, with the aim of supporting liberation movements in their ght against colonial occupation and domination(Murapa, 2002). Tanzania became a base of political and material support for the liberation movements, such as FRELIMO of Mozambique; MPLA of Angola; ZANU and ZAPU of Zimbabwe; SWAPO of Namibia; and the ANC and PAC of South Africa. e political and economic disparities that existed in African countries, as well as the most varied con icts and political interests, in particular in the countries of the Southern Africa, could not undermine the agenda assumed by the entire African continent in 203 José A. da Conceição Chichava