People's Liberation Army Of Namibia: Militant organisation in apartheid South West Africa

PLAN fought against the apartheid South African Defence Force and South West African Territorial Force during the South African Border War. In its history, PLAN used guerrilla tactics and as well as a large recruitment network in rural South West Africa to gain popularity.

People’s Liberation Army of Namibia
PLAN insurgents on the march in People’s Republic of Angola, 1980s.
Active	1962-1990
Country	South West Africa
Allegiance	South West Africa People’s Organisation
Type	Guerrilla organisation
Engagements	South African Border War
Commanders
Founder	Sam Nujoma

During the Border War most of PLAN’s activities includes mine warfare and acts of sabotage. At first PLAN lacked any units, and the operations were carried out by political exiles who spent time living in refugee camps in neighbouring country such as People’s Republic of Angola. MPLA helped PLAN launch raids inside South West Africa itself. By the end of the war, PLAN had 32,000 members with three battalions of troops equipped with heavy weapons.