 Britain 's stance towards Rhodesia was influenced in a similar way , with Whitehall unable to back down on the policy of no independence before majority rule without causing international uproar . Also contributory was the disproportionate sway over Britain 's African policy held by Julius Nyerere , the President of Tanzania , who was a fervent proponent for majority rule across Africa without delay , implemented by military force if need be . British politicians deferred to Nyerere on almost every proposal they made regarding Rhodesia during the 1960s and 1970s . In the immediate post @-@ Federal period , Britain forlornly tried to stifle Rhodesia 's further alignment with South Africa and Portugal , realising that British influence in the region was severely limited while the three remained so closely linked . A 1965 British government memorandum described the trio as " a defiant and mutually sustaining bloc " . 
