Cold War in Africa

As African states gained independence from European colonial powers (covered in Unit 10.7), the Cold War followed.

• Congo Crisis (1960-1965): Independence from Belgium produced chaos. The elected Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba was overthrown and killed with U.S. and Belgian involvement. Mobutu Sese Seko, a U.S.-backed strongman, ruled Zaire (Congo) for decades.
• Angola: Civil war after Portuguese decolonization (1975) became a Cold War proxy. Cubans (with Soviet support) fought South Africans (with U.S. support).
• Ethiopia and Somalia: Both went through socialist phases with Soviet support. The Ogaden War (1977-78) saw the superpowers switch clients.