Geostrategic Dimensions of Humanitarian Intervention In Africa (2000 -2023)

Abstract:
 This study aims to analyze the geostrategic dimensions of humanitarian intervention in Africa, arguing that such interventions often serve to reproduce colonial power dynamics rather than merely fulfilling their stated humanitarian objectives. The central research questions guiding this analysis are: How do contemporary humanitarian interventions in Africa reflect a colonial legacy? To what extent do these interventions advance the geopolitical and economic interests of Western powers at the expense of African sovereignty? And how can Africa-led alternatives offer more equitable solutions?
To answer these questions, the study uses a qualitative approach grounded in theory of “coloniality” and “post colonialism”, complemented by key case studies of interventions in Libya, Somalia, and Sudan. Through critical discourse analysis and historical contextualization, the study finds that modern humanitarian interventions frequently mirror colonial practices by undermining African sovereignty, selectively applying humanitarian principles based on Western interests, and racializing African crises.
Moreover, the study highlights how humanitarian aid itself can function as an instrument of control, reinforcing dependency and maintaining Western influence over African states. In contrast, Africa-led responses, such as those promoted by the African Union, present more positive alternatives by strengthening African efforts to shape humanitarian responses.
Hence, this study seeks to contribute to the literature by linking the concept of coloniality to humanitarian intervention, offering a more comprehensive critique of interventionist practices in Africa, and advocating for the decolonization of both humanitarian aid and intervention