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That's very simplistic. Here's a great case : It is often said that the West picked Mobutu over Lumumba because the lattest was seen as a threat to mining int
by AnAfrican 11y ago
That's very simplistic.
Here's a great case :
It is often said that the West picked Mobutu over Lumumba because the lattest was seen as a threat to mining interests.
Yet Mobutu nationalized the mines, then nationalized and redistributed most foreign assets.
And yet he was still supporter by the West.
The explanation: Mobutu played his cards right. The West was worried about Communism, he declared himself as strongly anti-communist and that was enough.
- astrodust 11y agoAlso overly simplistic: "The West". Remember there were often multiple competing powers each eager to sabotage the others if they couldn't get what they wanted. Sometimes a corrupt government was a sort of "area denial" on resources. The old "If I can't get them, then neither can you" approach.