ZAMBIA AND THE LIBERATION STRUGGLES OF SOUTHERN AFRICA, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY: THE BENEFITS OF ZAMBIA’S SUPPORT FOR LIBERATION WARS, 1966-1990

This article has explored the impact of Zambia's support for the liberation wars of southern Africa, with a focus on her benefits. It has drawn on primary and secondary sources related to the benefits Zambia accrued as a result of supporting liberation struggles of southern African states in the period 1966-1990. I have argued that while Zambia in this period had been seen to be a victim of circumstance by many scholars, she greatly benefited from her action of supporting liberation struggles of southern Africa. These benefits were clearly seen in sector s such as transport, energy and fuel. They were also visible in military force as well as in hosting refugees. I have demonstrated that Zambia's support for liberation struggles had very little or no impact on her declining economy between 1974 and 1990. I have argued that the decline of Zambia's economy in this period was mainly due to the copper and oil shocks that severely hit Zambia.