1983: Northern Chad Seized by Libyans and Rebels
Libya continued its involvement in Chad. The government requested and received aid from both the U.S. and French governments. (History Central)
1980: Libyan Troops Intervene in Chad Civil War
Civil war broke out in Chad between the forces of President Goukouni Oededdei and Prime Minister Hisseene Habre. Hundreds were killed in the initial fighting. In November, Libya intervened on…
1979: Idi Amin Overthrown
The despotic rule of Idi Amin came to an end when a joint force of Ugandan rebels and Tanzanian troops entered the Ugandan capital of Kampala. Amin fled. (History Central)
1979: Southern Rhodesia Becomes Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: The white-controlled government, under Ian Smith, successfully held out against majority rule until 1976. At that point, the South Africans decided to withhold further military aid. The white government…
1979: Somalia invaded Ethiopia
On August 8th, Somalia invaded Ethiopia, the latest chapter in the ongoing dispute over the Ogaden. The Somalis were initially successful in their attack, but the Soviets-- initially patrons of…
1977: Zaire Turns Back Angolan Invasion
Angolan invasion: A small force of Angolans invaded the Shab province of Zaire. The Zairan forces proved ineffectual, so 1,500 Moroccan troops transported by the French and financed by the…
1975: Angola Gains Independence
Angola declared its independence from Portugal. Two separate governments were proclaimed: the Soviet-backed Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the National Union for Total Independence of Angola…
1975: Mozambique Gains Independence
A further consequence of the changes in government policy in Portugal was the granting of independence to Mozambique on June 25th. A Marxist state with Samora Moises Machel as President…
1974: Emperor Haile Selassie is Deposed in Ethiopia
The 44- year reign of Haile Selassie came to an end when he was deposed by the army. Selassie had begun his reign as an absolute monarch. However, during the…