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France and the United Nations in Postwar Africa: A Legacy of Intervention and Decolonization

Jesse Bell

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Published in The Colonial Politics Of Global Health: France And The United Nations In Postwar Africa

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France's relationship with the United Nations in postwar Africa was complex and multifaceted. France was a permanent member of the Security Council and played a leading role in the decolonization process. However, France also intervened militarily in several African countries, often with disastrous consequences.

This article examines France's role in the United Nations and its impact on postwar Africa. It begins by discussing France's role in the decolonization process. France was one of the first countries to grant independence to its African colonies, and it played a leading role in the creation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

The Colonial Politics of Global Health: France and the United Nations in Postwar Africa

by Joice Berth

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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However, France's commitment to decolonization was often tempered by its own colonial interests. France continued to maintain a military presence in many of its former colonies, and it often intervened to protect its economic and political interests. This led to a number of conflicts, including the Algerian War and the Biafran War.

France's military interventions in Africa often had disastrous consequences. The Algerian War, which lasted from 1954 to 1962, resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Algerians. The Biafran War, which lasted from 1967 to 1970, resulted in the deaths of millions of Biafrans.

In addition to its military interventions, France also played a role in the United Nations' peacekeeping operations in Africa. France contributed troops to the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC) and the United Nations Mission in Rwanda (MINUAR).

France's role in the United Nations' peacekeeping operations was often criticized. Critics argued that France was using peacekeeping as a way to maintain its influence in Africa. They also argued that France's troops were often ill-prepared for the challenges of peacekeeping.

Despite the criticism, France continues to play a role in the United Nations' peacekeeping operations in Africa. France is currently contributing troops to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and the United Nations Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

France's relationship with the United Nations in postwar Africa has been complex and multifaceted. France has played a leading role in both the decolonization process and the United Nations' peacekeeping operations. However, France's military interventions in Africa have often had disastrous consequences.

France's legacy in Africa is complex and controversial. France played a leading role in the decolonization process, but it also intervened militarily in several African countries, often with disastrous consequences. France's relationship with the United Nations in postwar Africa was also complex and multifaceted. France was a permanent member of the Security Council and played a leading role in the United Nations' peacekeeping operations. However, France's military interventions in Africa often undermined the United Nations' peacekeeping efforts.

The Colonial Politics of Global Health: France and the United Nations in Postwar Africa

by Joice Berth

5 out of 5