1999: Nelson Mandela Retires

On June 16, 1999, Nelson Mandela stepped down from the Presidency of South Africa. He was replaced by Thabo Mbeki, the new leader of the African National Congress. The ANC…

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1998: US Embassies Bombed Simultaneously

On August 7, 1998, bombs exploded simultaneously at US embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar el Islam, Tanzania. The bombings killed a total of 224 people. The bombings were said…

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1996: Declared Nigerian Presient Charged with Treason

Nigerian: Moshood Abiola, a multi-millionaire businessman, was widely believed to have won the presidential election in Nigeria in June of 1993. General Ibrahim Babangida, who had ruled Nigeria for eight…

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1994-Rwandan Genocide

Rwandan: From April 7th to July 15th, 1994 as many as one million Tutsi’s were killed by Hutus in a genocidal attack in Rwanda. The attacks took place against the…

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1994: Nelson Mandela President of South Africa

Nelson Mandela was elected the first Black leader of South Africa after the country had its first free multiracial elections. F.W. De Klerk became one of the Deputy Premiers

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1993: Eighteen American Soldiers Killed in Somali Gun Battle

Eighteen American soldiers, members of the United Nations peace-keeping forces, were killed in a 15-hour gun battle with Somali rebels in Mogadishu between October 3 and 4. The UN troops…

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1991: Eritrea Independence

After a thirty year armed struggle against Ethiopian domination, Eritrean forces succeeded in defeating the Ethiopian military and gaining Independence. Two years later in a referendum at home and abroad,…

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1990: Nelson Mandela Freed

Nelson Mandela, leader of the African National Congress, was released after spending 27 years behind prison walls. Mandela was released by President F.W. DeKlerk as the first step in the…

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1989: Angolan Civil War Halted by Cease Fire

Angolan: A cease-fire went into effect in Angola after an agreement was signed by Angola, Cuba and South Africa. Under the terms of the agreement, Cuba was to withdraw its…

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1987: Libyan Troops Driven Out of Chad

Chad took the offensive in its civil war. The Army of Chad attacked Libyan forces in the northern village of Aozou and routed them. They then raided a Libyan air…

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1985: Nimeiri Ousted in the Sudan

General Nimeiri was ousted in the Sudan after serving as head of government since 1969. Nimeiri fought to suppress a rebellion in the non-Muslim south. He imposed Islamic law, but…

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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)

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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…

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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)

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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…

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