The United States (US) informed the United Nations (UN) on 7 August, 1963 that it would suspend sales of arms to South Africa. The Security Council adopted Resolution 181 calling upon all states to cease the sale and shipment of arms, ammunition and military vehicles to South Africa. The arms embargo was made mandatory on 4 November, 1977. The sanctions against South Africa were prompted by the county’s infamous Apartheid policy, which brought about race segregation.
2 August 1963
The UN is informed by the United States that it will suspend sale of arms to South Africa.

- Updated
- 30 Sep 2019

How we know this
- 01United Nations, ‘Nelson Mandela Internationals Day’, [online], available at www.un.org (Accessed: 18 July 2013)
- 02Boddy-Evans, A. ‘This Day in African History: 02 August’, from About African History, [online], available at https://africanhistory.about.com (Accessed: 18 July 2013)
Last updated · 30 Sep 2019
South African History Online. (2013, July 26). The UN is informed by the United States that it will suspend sale of arms to South Africa.. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0096232
South African History Online (2013) 'The UN is informed by the United States that it will suspend sale of arms to South Africa.', South African History Online, 26 July. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0096232 (Accessed: 5 November 2026).
South African History Online, The UN is informed by the United States that it will suspend sale of arms to South Africa. [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0096232, (accessed 5 November 2026).
"The UN is informed by the United States that it will suspend sale of arms to South Africa.." South African History Online, 26 July 2013, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0096232. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.
South African History Online. "The UN is informed by the United States that it will suspend sale of arms to South Africa.." South African History Online. July 26, 2013. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0096232.
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