French Intervention in the Central African Republic: Neo-Colonialism or Humanitarianism - Coursework Example

French Intervention in the Central African Republic: neo-colonialism or humanitarianism Introduction The Central African Republic gained her independence from France, her colonizer, in the year 1962. However, afterwards, the government, despite consisting of the local people continued being dictatorial, forcing the French to conduct continuous interventions in the country. These interventions focus on providing social and military aid to the country. However, in view of the events of Genocide that happened in neighbouring Rwanda, the recent violent eruptions in Central African Republic seem to be extending in a similar direction (Thomson, 45). The international security seeks to end the carnage through the UN Security Council responsibility of protecting innocent civilians. However, questions arise on the doctrine behind these interventions, some referring to the interventions as Trojans for more abuse of power. The use of military forces in Central African Republic for humanitarian purposes, also contain narrow nationalist interests, arising the debate of claims over neo-colonialism versus humanitarian arguments over the intervention. In view of these interventions, the impacts lean towards the pre-conclusion that the French intervention is more neo-colonialism than it is a humanitarian intervention. The issue The appeals for a moral purpose of the international organizations in the Central African Republic continue to infect the discourse for the great powers. The humanitarian intervention is only a feature of exemplary political obfuscation in the countries where the supposed interventions happen. The scenario in Central African Republic presents a case of civil war in the face of the rising interests both local and of the international community (Ayangafac 89). The interventions began with the recurrent lapsing of the country from stability to the political uprising with the ruling regimes presenting obstruction to democracy in the country. The country suffered as rebels continued to fight for their interest in the natural resources-rich Central African Republic. The natural resources, land and social development amenities, form the basis of the conflict in the country (Doeden 45). However, due to further interventions from the African and international community in the affairs of the country, the conflict regenerated and evolved into a religiously aligned war, with the Muslims taking the rebelling army while Christian consisting the proposing side (Arieff 1). The crisis accelerated when the West African troops from neighboring countries seemed to support the Muslim led rebels, as the government in Central African Republic interpreted. Similarly, after the ousting of the Christian led government, the intervention by the French seems to be in favour of the Christian led rebels (French troops meet resistance in Central African Republic 1). Thus, this interrelation and complication of the crisis continues to influence the process of political, social and military interventions. The human right organizations, which constitute the humanitarian side of the issue, present the arguments that the conflicts feature the use of child soldiers, and food shortages. The cases of human right abuse, such including killing of innocent people, rape and gross assault on the civilians by the intervening military, are subject of the infuriated discussion on the humanitarian crisis that arise with the supposed “goodwill” interventions; meant to support and foster security and peace for the civilians. Similarly, the political aspirations of the political powers also present another side of the argument, with claims of these interventions being modern forms of colonialism. These arguments base on the happenings such as that the intervening political powers seek to establish access to political control and resources in the country, as is the case in Central African Republic versus the French intervention. Neo-colonialism Argument Colonialism in the past was a factor in which the western powers sought to rule over the emerging and barbaric societies, that lacked the independence to run their affairs. However, after the revolution movements in the African states, that saw many of them gain independence marked the end of colonialism era. However, in recent developments, there are happenings in which the seemingly strong nations continue to seek political and economic hegemony over these independent nations without reducing the country or geographical area into a colony. The case factor in the intervention of French in the Central African Republic is a case in action in which some factions view neo-colonialism in action. For instance, in view of the territorial arguments that arise, the Central African Republic was a colony of the French administration. Therefore, the French has intelligence of the resources and worth of the country, a factor that seems to cloud their military intervention seeking to bring liberation and peace in the African country. The typical features that support this side of view is the alleged support of the French military towards the Christian led movements. The arrival of an additional 1000 troops of military from France in Central African Republic in the recent developments marked another era of rising presumptions of the interests of the French administration in Central African Republic (France Increases Its Involvement in The Central African Republic 20). The African country cries foul of the interests of the French in intervening, in the conflicts that arise in the country. The presence of the French in the Central African Republic elicits the feelings that their interest includes grabbing territory, gaining geostrategic advantage and seizing control of precious natural resources in the country. The continuous presence of the French in the country and their advocacy for collaboration among the African leadership are from the willingness of the African country to support the interests of France. Thus, from this pre-condition, it appears that the debate on the factor of the intervention being a neo-colonialist venture by the French in the Central African Republic. Humanitarianism Argument Humanitarianism entails the doctrine in which the obligations of humanity concerned with the welfare of the human race are the driving factor of the activity in the society. There is a moral obligation of the human welfare of the populations in areas of crisis and suffering that manifest in various philanthropic actions by the supporting countries (Simms, Brendan & D J, 21). The crisis in the Central African Republic encouraged the international community to feature its support in the intervention on the crisis of the arising happenings in the country. The country presents various mass and gross violations of human rights, a factor that earns the state of conflict in the country the status of a humanitarian issue, thus, the need for the interventions. In view of the French interventions, the crisis in this perspective remain humanitarian, hence their involvement in the country. In the independence of the former colonies of the French in Africa, France still wields remarkable degrees of influence within the sub-Saharan countries. The leading contributor to this factor is the economic considerations in the foreign policy of the African countries. The civil and political crisis in the Central African Republic remains a prime call for diplomatic, financial and military support from the French government. Therefore, in view of the operations in the country, it is clear there is a humanitarian crisis (Bricmont 47). The mass flocking of the French troop’s camps by refugees fleeing for their safety in the war tone country is an illustration of the humanitarian level of the issue (Central African Republic: civilians flock French troops for safety, 5). Over 4.4 million people suffer displacement from home, risk death from food shortages and attack by the warring rebels (Dyer 1). Thus, in view of these crisis and events in the Central African Republic, it is certain that this is a humanitarian crisis. Therefore, the French military intervention, alongside other forms of aid that it gives to the African needy country is a humanitarian intervention they seek to facilitate. Neo-colonialism versus Humanitarianism Perspectives on the Issue The neo-colonialism features of the crisis in central Africa republic that emanate from the French intervention on the country are diverse and arise from a vast and critical perspective. However, the humanitarian perspective remains the observable reason driving the intervention of the French in the country. In view of the two perspectives the humanitarianism aspect features that the French does the intervention with the interests of peace restoration and maintenance in the state, as well as, reinstate the civil rights and authority control of the country (RFI 1). However, the concern in the lines of neo-colonialism arises from the underlying interest of the country in the country. The concerns of the African leaders features that the intervention of the European powers, including the united states among other countries, arises about their pursuit for personal interests. The French in Central African Republic, according to the evidences in the country, the arguments continue arise that the French has interests in the mineral rich country (Central African Republic: Operation Sangaris 19957A). The minerals in the country, such including gold, diamonds among others, remain the points of arguments for the African perspective of the intervention. Thus, in their view, it is rather neo-colonialism in play than humanitarianism concern. However, in view of the humanitarian perspective, the gross human right violations, mass displacements, suffering and killing of civilians constitute the state to warrant it a humanitarian concern issue (Newman156). Therefore, the French intervention remains glued to the course, as it develops the country towards securing the stability of the country. Critical Analysis on the Issue In personal perspective, the interests of the colonial powers are still depicting themselves in the current neo-colonialism interest of the powerful countries. The case factor in France is exemplary of the political and financial interests of the French in the country. The French provides supposed financial aid to the country, alongside the military aid. However, the country has n underlying political and geostrategic interest in the Central African Republic. The supposed intervention of the French is illustration of other happenings in various international interventions across Africa and the Muslim world (Wilson 167). The happenings that cloud these military interventions constitute further humanitarian crisis as they include gross violations of human rights. For instance, there are reports of the French military torturing and killing innocent civilians and raping women, as well as stealing their valuables such as minerals. Thus, this gross misconduct is not illustrative and sustaining to refer to the intervention as humanitarian. Conclusion The political state visits and discussions between the countries always border along strengthening economic ties and trading pacts. Thus, in view of the agenda of such meetings, the French seek neo-colonialism interest in the Central African Republic rather than humanitarian intervention. The crisis in the country continues to worsen as the French increases the number of her troops in the country. Thus, the intervention is failing remarkably, constituting further humanitarian crisis instead of helping the country. Works cited Arieff, A 2014, ‘Crisis in the Central African Republic.’ Congressional Research Service Report (2014): 1. Publisher Provided Full Text Searching File. Web. 2 Apr. 2014 Ayangafac, Chrysantus. Political Economy of Regionalization in Central Africa. Tshwane (Pretoria), South Africa: Institute for Security Studies, 2008. Print. Bricmont, J. Humanitarian Imperialism: Using Human Rights to Sell War. New York: Monthly Review Press, 2006. Print. “Central African Republic: Operation Sangaris.” Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social & Cultural Series 50. 12 (2013): 19957A. . Publisher Provided Full Text Searching File. Web. 2 Apr. 2014 Central African Republic: civilians flock French troops for safety.” The New York Times 2013: 5. Academic OneFile. Web. 2 Apr. 2014. Doeden, Matt. Central African Republic in Pictures. Minneapolis, MN: Twenty-First Century Books, 2009. Print. Dyer, Gwaynne. “Forestalling Genocide in The Central African Republic.’ YaleGlobal Online 2013: Academic OneFile. Web. 2 Apr. 2014. “France Increases Its Involvement in The Central African Republic.” Stratfor Analysis (2013): 20. Business Souce Complete. Web. 2 Apr. 2014. “French troops meet resistance in Central African Republic.” UPI International Intelligence 2013: General OneFile. Web. 2 Apr. 2014. RFI , “French Saving Central African Republic from Civil War, French Minister.” Africa News Service 2013: General OneFile. Web. 2 Apr.2014. Newman, Michael. Humanitarian Intervention: Confronting the Contradictions. New York: Columbia University Press, 2009. Print. Simms, Brendan, and D J. B. Trim. Humanitarian Intervention: A History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011. Internet resource. Thomson, Alex. An Introduction to African Politics. London: Routledge, 2010. Print. Wilson, Joseph M. African Economic and Political Developments. Hauppauge, N.Y: Nova Science Publishers, 2011. Print. Read More