International Anti-Apartheid Sanctions, Boycotts, and Divestment (1960s–1994)

1. UK-based boycott movement grows into Anti-Apartheid Movement

   Jun 26, 1959Labels: Anti-Apartheid Movement, United Kingdom

   • AAM history

2. UN condemns Sharpeville; sanctions debate begins

   Apr 1, 1960Labels: Sharpeville, United Nations

   • UNSC 134
   • Britannica Sharpeville

3. South Africa becomes a republic and leaves Commonwealth

   May 31, 1961Labels: Republic of, Commonwealth

   • Commonwealth Chronology
   • UK Hansard 1961

4. UN creates Special Committee against Apartheid

   Nov 6, 1962Labels: UN Special, United Nations

   • UNGA 1761
   • UN Docs Res

5. IOC excludes South Africa from Tokyo Olympics

   Aug 18, 1964Labels: International Olympic, South Africa

   • SAHO Olympics
   • BBC archive via

6. UN adopts the Apartheid Convention

   Nov 30, 1973Labels: Apartheid Convention, United Nations

   • UN OLA AVL
   • UNTC treaty

7. UN imposes mandatory arms embargo on South Africa

   Nov 4, 1977Labels: UN Security, Arms Embargo

   • UNSC 418
   • Security Council Report

8. US Free South Africa Movement launches mass civil disobedience

   Nov 21, 1984Labels: Free South, United States

   • FSAM history
   • Washington Post 1991

9. UN calls for wider voluntary restrictions beyond arms

   Jul 26, 1985Labels: UN Security, Sanctions Expansion

   • UNSC 569
   • UNSC 569 summary

10. Commonwealth agrees Nassau Accord pressure measures

    Oct 21, 1985Labels: Commonwealth, Nassau Accord

    • UPI Nassau 1985
    • Commonwealth Eminent

11. US enacts Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act

    Oct 2, 1986Labels: United States, Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid

    • US law summary
    • GPO statute

12. UN strengthens and clarifies the arms embargo

    Nov 28, 1986Labels: UN Security, Arms Embargo

    • UNSC 591
    • UNSC 591 summary

13. European Community begins lifting key economic sanctions

    Dec 1, 1989Labels: European Community, F W

    • UPI EC sanctions
    • EU history overview

14. European Community ends remaining economic sanctions

    Jan 27, 1992Labels: European Community, Sanctions Lifted

    • UPI EC 1992

15. UN terminates sanctions after South Africa’s 1994 elections

    May 25, 1994Labels: United Nations, 1994 Elections

    • UNSC 919
    • SC Report 919