What type of fighting strategy was used by the ANC against the state?

The African National Congress (ANC) employed guerilla tactics as their primary fighting strategy against the state during the struggle against apartheid. Guerilla warfare is characterized by the use of small, mobile groups of combatants who utilize hit-and-run tactics against a larger, traditional military force. This approach allowed the ANC to effectively challenge the well-equipped South African security forces despite their own relative lack of resources.

Guerilla tactics were particularly suited to the context of apartheid, where the ANC aimed to gain support among the masses while disrupting the oppressive mechanisms of the state. This method included sabotage, ambushes, and other forms of unconventional warfare that sought to undermine the legitimacy and stability of the apartheid regime.

The other strategies, such as conventional warfare, diplomatic pressure, and negotiated settlements, were either not utilized or were not the main focus during the earlier and more militant phases of the ANC's struggle. Conventional warfare requires a direct confrontation with forces that the ANC was not equipped to engage in. Diplomatic pressure and negotiated settlements became more prominent in later years when the dynamics shifted toward discussions and the eventual end of apartheid.