The South African Border War or the Namibian War of Independence is not a war that fits exactly into the previously standard Cold War narrative thus far.

In this conflict, there was a third party involved. Cuba took on a leading role providing support to the Namibians in their fight for independence, which had been under South African control since after WWI. Cuba also provided additional troops to the Angolans who were also fighting for independence and had been receiving support from the USSR.

The battleground now shifts from East Africa towards Congo and the attempted secession of Katanga. At this time, Congo and its prime minister Patrice Lumumba faced decisions regarding involvement with both the United States and the Soviet Union. Both superpowers sought to secure their interests.

Unlike in East Africa, where the United States was more cautious in entering the conflict and providing support to one side, the Congo Crisis was a different scenario.

Both the United States and the Soviet Union in a way were competing for the favor of the African countries. As such, the U.S. found itself nestled in several countries, some in which they had direct interests in. In the first of a three part series covering Africa, we will first emphasize East Africa. This includes Burundi, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Each country became a platform in the Cold War; a metaphorical battleground of communist versus anti-communist ideology and policy. The tense competition between the two global superpowers created war amongst groups and conflicts between neighboring counties, such as the Ogaden war.