The Role of the US and France in Africa

The Role of the US and France in Africa US intervention in Africa, particularly in East Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo, was and remains a complex web of geostrategic, economic, and ideological interests. Support for certain "pillars of the state" often came at the expense of democracy, human rights, and long-term stability. The Cold War was the primary driving force (1960s–1980s). The primary goal was to contain Soviet influence. Pro-American, often authoritarian regimes were supported regardless of their domestic policies. Mobutu Sese Seko (DR Congo/Zaire, 1965–1997) is the prime example. He received massive military (including CIA), financial, and diplomatic support. After the assassination of Lumumba (with Western complicity) and the Congo Crisis, Washington saw Mobutu as the strong, anti-communist leader who could stabilize the vast, resource-rich country and keep it within the Western bloc. Mobutu established one of the most corrupt and repressive dictatorships in Africa. US support enabled him to maintain his regime for over three decades while the economy and the state deteriorated. Siad Barre (Somalia, 1969–1991) received massive military and economic aid in the 1980s. After the Ogaden War against Soviet-backed Ethiopia (under Mengistu), Barre switched sides. The US saw him as a strategic partner in the Horn of Africa. Barre, too, ruled with increasing repression and clientelism. His Western support contributed to the prolongation of his rule, the collapse of which in 1991 led to the complete disintegration of Somalia. Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel arap Moi (Kenya) received consistent diplomatic and economic support, as well as military cooperation. Kenya was considered a stable, pro-Western "anchor" in East Africa. Under Moi (1978-2002), the regime became increasingly autocratic and corrupt, but the US downplayed its criticism due to Nairobi's strategic importance (including its role as a base for US troops after 1998). Post-Cold War & "War on Terror" (from 2001 onward). After 1990/91, the anti-communist motive faded, and new priorities took center stage: combating terrorism, securing resources, and containing regional conflicts. Yoweri Museveni (Uganda, from 1986 onward) is one of the largest recipients of US military aid in sub-Saharan Africa. Uganda is a key partner in the US Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa. Initially celebrated as a reform-oriented "New Leader," Museveni became increasingly autocratic. The US overlooked domestic repression and the lifting of the presidential age limit because Uganda is a reliable military partner in the fight against al-Shabaab in Somalia and has a stabilizing effect regionally (also in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo). Paul Kagame (Rwanda, from 1994/2000) received strong diplomatic backing and substantial military aid. Kagame was praised for economic growth and stability. The US viewed him as an efficient, albeit authoritarian, partner, who was also seen as a stabilizing force in the unstable Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This support continued despite serious human rights allegations and Rwandan interference in the Congo. Governments in the DRC (post-Mobutu): US policy became inconsistent but often pragmatic. After the wars (1996-2003), the US supported Joseph Kabila's government, primarily to maintain a degree of state order necessary for combating armed groups in the east and for access to critical minerals (e.g., for electronics). However, this support was less personalized than under Mobutu. Continuities and Criticism Short-term regional stability and security cooperation are often prioritized over democratic reforms and human rights. Access to strategic minerals (cobalt, copper, coltan in the Congo) and competition with China and Russia for influence are playing an increasingly important role. Supporting authoritarian regimes that themselves fuel discontent through repression can, in the long run, promote precisely the instability and extremism that one seeks to combat (e.g., in Somalia under Barre or currently in parts of eastern Congo). The US no longer openly supports individual dictators as it did during Mobutu's era, but rather cooperates with regimes considered "strong partners" in difficult regions, even if their leaders undermine democratic principles. Conclusion: Historical and current US policy in East Africa and the DRC is characterized by profound pragmatism. During the Cold War, anti-communist dictators were the preferred partners; in the "War on Terror," it is regimes that offer security cooperation. The long-term costs of this policy – ​​state collapse, ongoing conflicts and human rights violations – have often been accepted or are seen as a necessary evil in pursuit of overriding foreign policy goals. What legal violations can be attributed to the US and France? Did the US kill Muammar al-Gaddafi? This is an important question to consider in relation to the US role in Africa. The US did not directly kill Muammar al-Gaddafi. Gaddafi died on October 20, 2011, in Sirte, Libya, during the civil war. NATO forces, including US drones and fighter jets, attacked a convoy carrying Gaddafi, leading to his overthrow and capture by Libyan rebels. The rebels subsequently abused and killed him, as shown in videos and reports from Human Rights Watch. The US supported the NATO operation to enforce UN Resolution 1973, which mandated civilian protection measures and a no-fly zone. While Gaddafi's opponents are held directly responsible for his death, the NATO attacks facilitated his capture. Who Killed Thomas Sankara? Thomas Sankara, President of Burkina Faso, was assassinated in a coup on October 15, 1987. His closest confidant and successor, Blaise Compaoré, is considered the main person responsible for ordering the assassination. In 2022, a military court in Burkina Faso sentenced Compaoré in absentia to life imprisonment for complicity in the murder, attacking state security, and concealing a body. Gilbert Diendéré and Hyacinthe Kafando were also sentenced to life imprisonment as direct perpetrators. The immediate perpetrators came from Compaoré's inner circle, including members of his bodyguard; the assassination squad set out from his estate. There is evidence of French involvement, as agents deleted phone conversations after the assassination that implicated Compaoré and others. Sankara was shot dead during a cabinet meeting, along with 12 close associates. Survivor Alouna Traoré reported that Sankara sacrificed himself. Autopsies confirmed gunshot wounds. The role of the US and France in presidential overthrows in Africa is historically and politically complex and varies depending on the country and context. Here is a detailed analysis based on the available information: Role of the USA The USA has also intervened militarily and politically in Africa on several occasions, often as part of counterterrorism operations or to support specific governments. One example is the overthrow of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in Haiti, where the USA played a significant role, but similar interventions have also occurred in other African countries. The USA has often attempted to protect its interests through military presence, economic support, or political influence, sometimes leading to instability or changes of government. In some cases, the USA has withdrawn troops or supported new governments after the overthrow of a president in order to pursue its strategic objectives. Both France and the USA are often criticized because their interventions in Africa have not always been in the interest of the local population, but have often been driven by geopolitical or economic motives. In some cases, these interventions have led to instability, conflict, and a power vacuum, which has created further problems. The role of both countries is viewed controversially in international debate, as they aim to promote security and stability on the one hand, but are also perceived as engaging in neo-colonial power interventions on the other. Conclusion The US and France often play a significant, yet ambivalent, role in the overthrow of presidents in Africa. They intervene militarily, politically, and economically to secure their interests, which can have both stabilizing and destabilizing effects. The precise circumstances depend heavily on the specific country and situation. Conclusion https://www.suedwind-magazin.at/spaete-gerechtigkeit-fuer-thomas-sankara/ https://www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de/burkina-faso-thomas-sankara-100.html https://de.euronews.com/2021/10/11/historischer-prozess-wer-hat-thomas-sankara-vor-34-jahren-getotet https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Sankara https://www.akweb.de/politik/burkina-faso-prozess-zum-mord-an-thomas-sankaras-die-idee-eines-freien-afrikas/ https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/krieg-in-libyen-usa-gaddafi-laesst-leichen-an-westliche-angriffsziele-bringen-1.1077798 https://www.wsws.org/de/articles/2011/10/gadd-o22.html https://www.focus.de/politik/ausland/neue-details-zu-gaddafis-tod-im-blutrausch-der-rebellen-gab-es-ein-massaker_id_2252841.html https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internationaler_Milit%C3%A4reinsatz_in_Libyen_2011 https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/internationaler-strafgerichtshof-gaddafis-tod-war-moeglicherweise-kriegsverbrechen-a-804077.html [ https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/gaddafi-ts-126.html France's Role France has traditionally maintained a strong military and political presence in many African countries, particularly in its former colonies. There have been several interventions in which France has been directly or indirectly involved in political upheavals, for example, through military operations or support for specific political groups. One example is Operation Azalée in 1995 in the Comoros, in which France intervened to prevent the overthrow of President Ange-Félix Patassé's government by insurgent soldiers. However, France's influence has declined in recent years, as evidenced by current conflicts such as in Niger, where France's military presence and political role are the subject of critical debate. President Emmanuel Macron has in the past maintained France's military presence in several African countries, which is often seen as an attempt to secure France's influence in the region.