Zimbabwe - Nigeria African International Relations
Kholisile David Dhliwayo
Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe
This study of African International Relations focuses on relations between Zimbabwe and Nigeria between 1982 and 1988. This is done through the surgical eyes of the Zimbabwe ambassador during the period under study. The text book definition of both international relations and foreign policy is that they are an extension of domestic policy, and it is for that reason that the study pays special attention to Nigerian domestic policy as a way of explaining relations between Zimbabwe and Nigeria.
Both Zimbabwe and Nigeria have several common interests as discussed in this study. They both inherited British colonial structures at independence which formed part of the foundation for nation building and reconstruction. Both countries were members of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) which has now been transformed into the African Union (AU). The OAU focused on the liberation of Africa and to that extent both countries crafted common policies towards the liberation of Apartheid South Africa as discussed in this study. Both the OAU and AU have as a goal the creation of the United States of Africa and that the economy is a significant factor to the realisation of that unity, and it is within that context that this study pays special attention to building up economic relations between Zimbabwe and Nigeria.
The picture that emerges from this study shows that economic relations are discussed within the context of internal and external dynamic political forces.
ISBN 9783862887460. LINCOM Studies in Politics 02. 123pp. 2016.