[1] Namibia's struggle for independence from South Africa led to extensive Turkish diplomatic efforts as the co-sponsor[1] from the Western Contact Group and founding member of the UN Council for Namibia, that called for Namibian independence.

[2] Turkey continued to advocate on behalf of Namibia's independence but many countries baulked[3] at supporting the country's movement under Sam Nujoma that allied with the Soviet Union and started sending young men to the Soviet Union for training in preparation for guerrilla warfare.

[2] Guerrilla warfare began 1966 but was marginal until Communist-led MPLA took over Angola in 1975.

[4] The diplomatic breakthrough came with the election[5] of Jimmy Carter, who came to support[6] the Western Contact Group and worked to negotiate peace in Namibia.

[6] In 1978, South Africa and Western Contact Group created a plan for holding elections that would lead to Namibian independence in 1990.