The Role of Local Agencies in the Cold War in Africa

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Cover page of the academic journal Passerelle, Varia 2025. Two identical University of Oran 2 Mohamed Ben Ahmed logos appear at the top left and top right. Centered between them are the university name, the Faculty of Foreign Languages, and the LOAPL laboratory name in text. In the middle of the page is the Passerelle logo with a stylized bridge in teal and gold. Above this logo appear the word VARIA and the year 2025. Below the logo is the circular LOAPL emblem. The background features symmetrical golden bridge structures and geometric patterns. At the bottom, the cover displays Volume 14, Issue 2, December 2025, followed by the ISSN and E ISSN details and the journal website.
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Published: Dec 22, 2025
Keywords:
Cold War, Africa, local agency, superpower influence

Main Article Content

Wafaa Taleb
University of Oran 2 Mohamed Ben Ahmed / Algeria

Abstract

This article examines the role of local agencies in shaping Cold War dynamics in Africa, moving beyond the traditional focus on superpower interventions. The study explores how local actors influenced political alliances, military strategies, and economic policies within the geopolitical competition between the United States and the Soviet Union. Using case studies from Ghana, Angola, and Mozambique and incorporating oral interviews with former decision-makers, the research highlights the agency of African states and grassroots organizations in navigating external pressures. The findings reveal that local agencies were not passive recipients of superpower aid but active participants in shaping Cold War strategies to align with national interests. The study adopts a historical and qualitative methodological approach, analyzing archival documents, police records, and firsthand accounts. The results suggest that Cold War rivalries contributed to long-term political and economic developments in Africa, underscoring the enduring impact of local agencies in global conflicts.

Article Details

How to Cite
Taleb, W. (2025). The Role of Local Agencies in the Cold War in Africa. Passerelle, 14(2), 495-508. Retrieved from https://revue.univ-oran2.dz/Revue/Passerelle/index.php/Passerelle/article/view/471
Issue
Vol 14 No 2 (2025): Varia
Section
Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

References

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