What role did the Cold War play in African conflicts?

The Cold War significantly influenced African conflicts, as superpowers used the continent as a battleground for ideological supremacy.

The Cold War, a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of Africa. The continent became a theatre for proxy wars, as both superpowers sought to spread their respective ideologies - capitalism and communism - and gain strategic advantages. This often involved providing military and financial support to different factions in African conflicts, exacerbating existing tensions and contributing to the outbreak or escalation of violence.

One of the most notable examples of this is the Angolan Civil War. After Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975, the country descended into a civil war between the communist MPLA, backed by the Soviet Union and Cuba, and the anti-communist UNITA, supported by the United States and South Africa. The superpowers' involvement not only prolonged the conflict but also intensified it, leading to a devastating humanitarian crisis.

Similarly, in the Horn of Africa, the Somali-Ethiopian conflict was heavily influenced by Cold War dynamics. Initially, both countries were aligned with the Soviet Union, but when Ethiopia's government was overthrown by a Marxist regime, the United States switched its support to Somalia. This shift in alliances led to the Ogaden War in 1977-78, a conflict that resulted in significant loss of life and displacement.

Moreover, the Cold War also played a role in the apartheid regime in South Africa. The United States and its allies were reluctant to impose sanctions on the apartheid government due to its anti-communist stance, despite international condemnation of its racial policies. This indirectly contributed to the prolongation of apartheid and the associated conflicts.

In conclusion, the Cold War had a profound impact on African conflicts. The superpowers' competition for influence and ideological supremacy turned the continent into a battleground for proxy wars, exacerbating existing tensions and often leading to devastating consequences for the local populations.