A Piece Retrospect of The Cold War: An Introspect of The Angola Crisis
A Piece Retrospect of The Cold War: An Introspect of The Angola Crisis
A Piece Retrospect of The Cold War: An Introspect of The Angola Crisis
ABSTRACT: The paper examines the intrigues and dynamics correlating the Cold War with the Angolan War. It
further interrogates the interests of nations in this war. The paper relied on secondary sources. Secondary sources
included literatures such as books and newspapers. The documentary data were subjected to internal and external
criticism for authentication and then to textual and contextual analysis. The researcher interrogated the interests of
some nations
I. Introduction
Adu Funmilayo stated that a crisis does not necessarily lead to conflicted situations; she emphasized that
crises can occur with or without violence. According to her definition, a crisis involves an argument between two or
more groups. Crises are characterized by a breakdown of law and order, and if they escalate with violence, they
transform into conflicts (Adu, 2023). According to Charles Perrow, a crisis can be described as a rare and
unexpected event that occurs suddenly and escalates rapidly, posing a significant threat to the normal functioning of
an organization and its stakeholders (Perrow, 1984). Such events are low in probability, catching the organization
off guard and demanding immediate attention and response. The crisis may challenge established routines and
protocols, necessitating adaptive and creative approaches to address the emergent situation effectively (Zumstein,
1990). The impact of the crisis extends beyond the confines of routine management, calling for quick decisions and
actions to mitigate its consequences and restore stability. As articulated by Miriam Zumstein, a sociology scholar, a
crisis represents a pivotal moment in the development of individuals, organizations, or even societies at large
(Zumstein, 1990). It serves as a turning point, prompting a transformative shift in the prevailing status quo. During a
crisis, the established norms and practices come under scrutiny, creating opportunities for profound changes and
revaluations (Burkland, 2000). These critical junctures may arise due to various triggers, such as economic
downturns, social upheavals, or technological disruptions (Hopkins, 2000). The decisions made during such crises
carry significant consequences, shaping the future trajectory of the involved entities and determining their ability to
adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing environment.
According to Andrew Hopkins, a risk management scholar, a crisis manifests as a period of intense
difficulty, trouble, or danger, characterized by the necessity for making critical decisions and taking decisive actions
(Hopkins, 2000). This high-stress situation demands immediate attention and effective responses to address the
challenges at hand (James, 1999). Crises often involve uncertainties and complex issues, requiring well-informed
risk assessments and strategic planning to manage potential negative outcomes. The effectiveness of crisis
management lies in the ability to swiftly identify and understand the sources of the crisis, proactively engage with
stakeholders, and implement appropriate measures to mitigate the adverse impacts and restore stability. As defined
by Thomas Birkl and, a public policy scholar, a crisis represents a situation that surpasses the capacity of
individuals, organizations, or societies to handle using standard operating procedures and customary methods
(Burkland, 2000). Crises are exceptional events that demand extraordinary measures and interventions. When
confronted with these extraordinary circumstances, established routines and traditional policies may prove
inadequate, requiring the adoption of novel strategies and policy responses. Effective crisis management involves
the collaboration of various stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and
community members, to tackle the challenges collectively and foster resilience in the face of adversity.
As stated by James Pennebaker, a psychology scholar, a crisis can trigger a state of psychological and emotional
disruption characterized by feelings of uncertainty, fear, and loss of control (James, 1999). The intense emotional
impact of a crisis can affect individuals and communities, leading to increased stress levels and heightened
vulnerability. Coping with the psychological effects of a crisis becomes crucial for maintaining mental well-being
and ensuring sound decision-making during challenging circumstances. Crisis intervention and support systems play
a vital role in providing psychological assistance and promoting resilience, allowing individuals and communities to
navigate the crisis and its aftermath with greater strength and adaptability. Also Ediagbonya, Michael defined crisis
as a specific, unexpected and non routine event or series of events that create high levels of uncertainty and
simultaneously present an organization with both opportunities for and threats to its high priority goals (Ediagbonya,
2023).
The experience of Crises can cause physical and emotional trauma, both for soldiers and civilians. This
trauma can have long-term effects on individuals and societies, including mental health issues and social disruptions
(Solnit, 2009). Wars have often led to the destruction of cultural heritage sites, including museums, libraries, and
historical monuments. This destruction can lead to the loss of important cultural artifacts and can have long-term
effects on a society's identity and cultural heritage. Crises have often driven advancements in technology, including
medical technology, transportation, and communication. While these advancements have had positive impacts, they
have also been used in future conflicts, leading to more destructive and deadly wars.
Various countries around the world have experienced different political crises, each with its unique set of
challenges and implications. In Belarus, a political crisis unfolded in 2020 following a disputed presidential election,
leading to widespread protests against President Alexander Lukashenko's rule and demands for electoral
transparency. Venezuela has been grappling with a prolonged political and economic crisis, resulting in
hyperinflation, scarcity of basic necessities, and a mass exodus of its citizens seeking better opportunities abroad. In
Hong Kong, massive protests erupted in 2019 over a proposed extradition bill, evolving into a broader pro-
democracy movement advocating for greater autonomy and civil liberties. Sudan faced a political crisis that
culminated in a military coup in 2019, with citizens demanding the ousting of long-time President Omar al-Bashir
and a transition to civilian-led governance. Myanmar experienced a military coup in February 2021, triggering
nationwide protests and resistance against the military's actions and a subsequent violent crackdown. Ukraine has
been embroiled in a political crisis since 2014, marked by the annexation of Crimea by Russia and the ongoing
conflict in eastern Ukraine. Lebanon has faced an economic and political crisis characterized by hyperinflation,
currency devaluation, and shortages of essential goods, leading to widespread protests against government
corruption and mismanagement. Political crises are multi-faceted, often involving intricate socio-economic and
historical factors, and they continue to have significant impacts on global affairs and human rights. It's crucial to
keep abreast of current events and reliable sources to understand the evolving nature of these crises and their
implications for affected populations and international relations.
The Angola Crisis was a protracted armed conflict that occurred in Angola from 1975 to 2002 (Abimbola,
2009). It was characterized by a complex web of political, economic, and social factors, including the struggle for
power between various political factions, regional and international interests, and ideological differences. The crisis
began shortly after Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975, as different factions fought for control of
the country (Ihonvbere, 1993). During the course of the conflict, several countries, including South Africa, Cuba,
and the United States, became involved in Angola (Britannica, 2020). Nigeria, as a prominent African nation, also
played a significant role in the crisis. Nigeria's involvement in the Angola Crisis was driven by its commitment to
promoting peace and stability in Africa and its desire to prevent the spread of communism in the region (Abimbola,
2009). Nigeria's involvement in the Angola Crisis was multi-faceted, encompassing military, diplomatic, and
humanitarian efforts. Nigeria deployed troops to Angola to support the government in Luanda and participated in
peacekeeping missions to monitor ceasefires and provide security for humanitarian aid convoys (Gerald, 2018).
Nigeria also played an active role in the diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis, mediating between the different
parties and facilitating negotiations between the government and rebel groups. Nigeria's involvement in the Angola
Crisis had both positive and negative impacts. On the one hand, Nigeria's efforts helped to stabilize the situation in
Angola and contributed to the eventual resolution of the conflict. On the other hand, Nigeria's involvement in the
conflict was also criticized for being motivated by self-interest and for exacerbating the conflict. Overall, the role of
Nigeria in the Angola Crisis remains a significant case study in African conflict resolution, offering insights into the
complexities of African conflicts and the challenges of promoting peace and stability on the continent.
The main aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis and a snippet into events during the Cold War and
the roles of states in the Angola Crisis. To achieve this aim, the study will pursue the following specific objectives:
1. To examine the political and strategic interests that motivated Nations in the Angola Crisis and to assess the
extent to which these interests were aligned with the goals of conflict resolution and peacekeeping;
2. to analyze the nature and extent of the Cold War policies and intrigues in the Angola Crisis, including the
deployment of troops and the provision of military aid to various factions, and to evaluate the impact of
these interventions on the conflict;
It is remarkable that succeeding presidents in both the USA and USSR consistently pursued the cold war; in
the case of Vietnam, three US Presidents dealt with the matter before it was rested in 1973. Vietnam also
demonstrated how the cold war could push the USA into drawing in a neutral neighbour, Cambodia, into the
desperate project of routing the Viet Cong. Peace talks convened in Paris eventually arranged a ceasefire in January
1973, this was after US constant bombardment of North Vietnam and all-out US involvement failed to stop the Viet
Cong and amidst scandals of US troops meddling with local women, the murder of civilians and other
embarrassment of a small developing nation successfully withstanding a superpower. The American failure in
Vietnam and Cambodia yielded both nations together with Laos over to the Eastern block where China and USSR
jostled for influence in their affairs.
It was ironic that the USA, which exerted so much pressure around the Soviet backyard in Indo China, lost
a prime location like neighbouring Cuba to Soviet influence. When Fidel Castro overthrew the Batista dictatorship
in Cuba in 1956, he publicly declared allegiance to Marxism-Leninism, and made association with communist
states. In 1962, an American spy-plane spotted Russian missiles being moved into position on the Island, which has
contiguous waters with the USA. President Kennedy demanded their removal and imposed a blockade of Cuba to
prevent further landings. Soviet President Kruschev in turn demanded the withdrawal of American missiles from
Turkey to seal a bargain. After days of tension the Soviet Union withdrew the missiles. The Cuban missile crisis was
the tensest moment of the cold war when the two superpowers came closest to open military confrontation. But after
its resolution, the superpowers installed a new telephone link called the “Hot Line” to forestall future emergencies as
both superpowers then realized the imperative of mutual deterrence from war.
Many scholars point to the 1955 visit of Russian leaders, Kruschev and Bulganin to Geneva for a summit
conference with President Ike Eisenhowever, Prime Minister Eden of Britain and French Premier Faure to talk
disarmament as the beginning of the thaw in the cold war. The Americans called this stage of the cold war détente
while USSR called it “peaceful co-existence”. Overall, friendship was being cultivated. Despite more frequent visits
of Soviet leaders to the West, (Britain in 1956 and America in 1956), diplomatic bickering continued between the
Superpowers, especially when Russia resented the fly-over of American U-2 spy- planes over Soviet territory and
American agitation over the Cuban Missile crisis.
But otherwise, the 1960‟s witnessed progress in disarmament talks, superpowers assistance to developing nations to
woo them. China forged links with Pakistan, and helped Zambia and Tanzania with interest-free loan and skilled
assistance to build the Zam Tan Railway in 1970. China also gave Tanzania the Friendship Textile Mill, all in the
face of white racist supremacy. Russia helped Egypt to finance the Aswan Dam. The West seemed content to just
consolidate their relations with developing nations using mainly post-colonial diplomatic instruments. Yakubu
Gowon, former Nigeria‟s President, in 1971 expressed that “Africa must be free from ideological influences which
have no cultural basis in the content itself” (Duyile & Aremu, 2018). Olusegun Obasanjo (another Nigerian leader)
on the 12th of September, 1977 opined that the slow, unsteady and rather tortuous so called ideological path of
transforming a nation into the theoretical and utopian society is clearly not the most expedient for Nigeria… (Duyile
& Aremu, 2018)‟ Nigeria‟s case is painful its sea has no foliage for cover (Duyile, The Sea Factor in Nigeria's
National Security, 2015). In the Nigerian Civil War, foreign technical expertise was readily provided by the British
before the Nigerian Civil War, and the Russians during the war, supported the Nigerian Navy in planning and
execution of maintenance activities (Duyile, From the Biafra War to the Liberian Crisis: Historicizing the
Contribution of the Nigerian Navy, 2020). The problems of Biafra further increased when the Nigerian Navy
acquired ships from the Soviet Union during the war (Duyile, Nature and Impact of Involvement of the Navy in the
Nigerian Civil War, 1967 -70, 2016). Alexei Kosygin assured Nigeria of Russia‟s support (Duyile, Nature and
Impact of Involvement of the Navy in the Nigerian Civil War, 1967 -70, 2016). It must be added that after the war
Nigeria was the 50th exporter of goods to the United States (Duyile, Infrastructural Development in Nigeria, 1960-
2015, 2020). The scope of this study is limited to the role of nations in the Angola Crisis from 1975 to 2002. 1975
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American Journal Of Multidisciplinary Research & Review (AJMRR) April-2024
was a significant year in the history of Angola as it marked the country's independence from Portugal after a
protracted struggle for self-rule. The independence of Angola was followed by a civil war that lasted for over 27
years and claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. During this period, several foreign powers,
including the United States and the Soviet Union, supported various factions in the conflict, exacerbating the
violence and prolonging the crisis. 2002 marked the end of the civil war in Angola, with the signing of the Luanda
Accord that provided a framework for political and economic reforms and national reconciliation. The resolution of
the conflict was a significant milestone for Angola and the wider region, as it paved the way for stability,
development, and cooperation.
The period between 1975 and 2002 was therefore critical in the history of Angola and the wider region,
with significant political, economic, and social changes taking place. Nigeria played an important role in the Angola
Crisis during this period, providing military, diplomatic, and humanitarian support to various factions in the conflict.
goriness that shouldn‟t have happened. For twenty seven years Angolan territories were devastated, only to be told
that they should accept an ideology inimical to their belief and views.
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