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What Cold War events led to proxy wars in Africa?

The Cold War events that led to proxy wars in Africa were primarily the ideological conflict and power struggle between the USA and the USSR.

During the Cold War, the USA and the USSR were engaged in a global ideological conflict, with each superpower seeking to spread its own political and economic system worldwide. This ideological conflict was particularly intense in Africa, a continent that was undergoing decolonisation and was therefore seen as a fertile ground for the spread of communism or capitalism. The USA and the USSR saw Africa as a strategic battleground in their global struggle, and they sought to influence African countries through economic aid, military assistance, and political alliances.

One of the key events that led to proxy wars in Africa was the Suez Crisis of 1956. This crisis, which involved Egypt, the UK, France, and Israel, was a turning point in the Cold War, as it marked the first time that the USA and the USSR cooperated to resolve an international crisis. The Suez Crisis demonstrated to African countries that they could play the superpowers off against each other to gain political and economic advantages.

Another key event was the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, which heightened tensions between the USA and the USSR and led to an increase in their involvement in Africa. The crisis made the superpowers more determined to prevent the other from gaining a foothold in Africa, and they increased their support for African governments and rebel groups that aligned with their ideologies.

The decolonisation of Africa also played a significant role in the outbreak of proxy wars. As African countries gained independence, they were often left with weak governments and unstable political systems. The USA and the USSR exploited these vulnerabilities to gain influence in Africa, often supporting opposing sides in civil wars and conflicts. This led to a series of proxy wars, including the Angolan Civil War, the Mozambican Civil War, and the Ethiopian Civil War.

In conclusion, the ideological conflict and power struggle between the USA and the USSR, coupled with the decolonisation of Africa, led to a series of proxy wars in Africa during the Cold War. These wars were characterised by the involvement of the superpowers, who provided military and economic support to African governments and rebel groups in an attempt to spread their own ideologies and gain influence in Africa.

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