SubSaharan Africa 485
MID#1396
Dispute Number: 1396
Date(s): November 20, 1974
Participants: 552 Zimbabwe/551 Zambia
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: On October 1, 1974, alleged Zambian terrorists crossed the Rhodesian
border and killed two Rhodesian and two South African police constables near
Chirundu. On October 6, in connection with clashes on the Zambian frontier,
Rhodesia lodged a formal complaint with the Zambian government, asserting that
it was allowing African nationalist insurgents to use its territory as a base of opera-
tions. Then, on November 20, Zambian and Rhodesian forces exchanged mortar
fire.
Coding changes: Dropped from the dispute: 560 South Africa. Start Date changed
from October 1, 1974.
MID#1430
Started in October 1975. See the narrative in the 541 Mozambique/552 Zimbabwe
dyad dispute list.
MID#3131
Dispute Number: 3131
Date(s): May 11, 1977 to December 21, 1979
Participants: 552 Zimbabwe/510 Tanzania, 551 Zambia
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: Missing
Narrative: In May 1977 Zambia’s President Kaunda expressed support for the black
majority guerrillas fighting against the white minority ruled government in Rhodesia.
Kaunda also placed the military on alert and ordered that they shoot down any aircraft
flying over Zambia. Meanwhile, Rhodesia announced that it would invade Zambia to
attack guerrilla bases there that had been plaguing the country. Tanzania responded
by pledging to fight with Zambia if Rhodesia invaded. Cross-border actions fighting
rebels followed throughout the year.
On December 6, 1977, Zambia left peace negotiations sponsored by the British
and the United States because the British suggested the strength of the Rhodesian
forces gave them added capabilities within the negotiations. Cross-border actions
continued, and then, in August 1978, Zambia held talks between Rhodesian
Prime Minister Ian Smith and guerrilla leader Joshau Nkomo. From October 12
through November 18, 1979, key road bridges were destroyed between Zambia
and its neighbors by Rhodesian forces as an attempt to thwart rebel traffic. Zambia
responded on November 20 by declaring war on Rhodesia and calling for total
military mobilization.