'Bloody Commonwealth peacemongers': the role of the Commonwealth in South Africa's transition from apartheid. Issue 1 (2nd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mole, Stuart
• Is Part Of: Commonwealth & comparative politics. Volume 60:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 26
• Publication Date: 2022-01-02
• Subjects: Apartheid -- South Africa -- Commonwealth -- Mandela -- De Klerk -- Anyaoku; Comparative government -- Periodicals; Institutions politiques comparées -- Périodiques; 320.9171241
• DOI: 10.1080/14662043.2021.2007659
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1466-2043

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In the international campaign against apartheid, the Commonwealth is often cited as clashing repeatedly with its former imperial master, the United Kingdom, whether on sport, arms sales or sanctions against South Africa. Yet little attention is paid to the quite different role a united Commonwealth was able to play in South Africa's transition from apartheid, following the release of Nelson Mandela from prison in February 1990. This article uses new archival evidence to assess the impact of the Commonwealth's role alongside other forms of international assistance during the period.