CHAPTER TWO: HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND CURRENT CHALLENGES Mozambique, Samora Machel, received his military training. His compatriots returned to their country to launch the struggle that finally vanquished Portuguese colonialism. In 1971, the first Libération Afrique saw the light of day. Six national liberation movements, the ANC (South Africa), Zapu (Zimbabwe), Swapo (Namibia), PAIGC (Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde), the MPLA (Angola) and Frelimo (Mozambique) joined forces under the impetus of Cedetim and under the banner of a common press agency to publish an information journal in support of African national liberation struggles. At the diplomatic level, Algeria has served the liberation cause in Africa and elsewhere in the world well. Algerian diplomacy was characterised by its unequivocal position on people‘s rights to independence and liberty. In November 1974, thanks to Algeria‘s sustained opposition to the odious apartheid regime of South Africa and the wisdom of the Algerian diplomat, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of the United Nations‘ General Assembly at the time, apartheid South Africa was finally suspended from participation in the United Nations. Opposing the veto of the permanent members of the Security Council, the United States, the United Kingdom and France, Bouteflika, on the basis of his interpretation of the Charter of the United Nations, managed a resounding feat that resulted in deepening the isolation of the racist regime. Between 1975 and 1977, the Portuguese colonies acceded to independence and the victories of Zapu in Zimbabwe in 1980, the ANC in South Africa in 1994 and Swapo in Namibia in 1990 closed the chapter on colonialism in Africa. In all these events, the support Algeria provided to revolutionary movements throughout the world, and to African liberation movements in particular, was inestimable. Drawing strength from the support that the country had itself received in its liberation war, especially from free and progressive African countries, Algeria understood and fulfilled its duty and vocation. If the liberation of the African continent, in particular the decolonisation of many African regions south of the Sahara and the end of discrimination in South Africa, called for the struggle of the African people themselves, they owe much to the active and determined support of friendly countries, foremost among these being Algeria. From the outset Algeria, with its marked sense of pan-Africanism, opted for the unity of the African continent and worked tirelessly to achieve this by providing sustained support for the African cause, unity and the decolonisation of the continent. It has never deviated from this approach, which is still evident today in its support for all initiatives aimed at strengthening African peace and solidarity. Algeria has participated actively in the birth of the African Union and the implementation of NEPAD. It is worthy of note that Algeria‘s bursary programme, which grants 1600 bursaries to African students each year, falls within the ambit of this vision and Algeria‘s commitment to pan-Africanism. The Panel, aware that this constitutes an inestimable contribution to the emancipation of the African people, pays homage to Algeria‘s leaders and people. 68. From June 1990, the continued economic crisis gave rise to Islamic fundamentalism, which saw violent demonstrations escalating and municipal elections being won by the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS). The rise of the FIS culminated in the first legislative elections held in 1991–1992, when the Islamic party was poised to win its opponent, the FLN. However, the second round of elections never took place. Chadli resigned and was replaced by the High Committee of State who dissolved the FIS and declared a state of emergency. Thirty years after its independence, Algeria was once again plunged into a deep political crisis. 45