Opération Crevette

Benin, Mercenaries, and the Survival of a New State

Inbunden, Engelska, 2024

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Freshly out from under French colonial rule in 1960, the West African nation of Dahomey (now Benin) became home to the largest number of coups d’état in history, earning the reputation of the “sick child of Africa.” Country politics eventually aligned with Marxist and socialist ideologies stimulating French opposition that resulted in mercenary intervention. Opération Crevette: Benin, Mercenaries, and the Survival of a New State brings together the voices of the involved mercenaries, political rulers, and local witnesses to reveal a struggle for power in the former French colony. Opération Crevette was a mercenary operation which was intended to remove Benin’s eleventh president from power in the 1970s. This book analyzes the political, social, and economic factors that led to this operation, as well as the foreign interference from nations like France and America. Les and Monique Sosnowski provide a unique perspective of international politics, exposing French instigated military intervention and the immense influence Western nations have played in shaping the Africa we know today.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2024-02-07
Mått157 x 237 x 20 mm
Vikt490 g
FormatInbunden
SpråkEngelska
Antal sidor246
FörlagBloomsbury Publishing Plc
ISBN9781666911237

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Preface: Bob Denard and CompanyChapter 1: From French Colony to Military RuleChapter 2: “Sick Child of Africa”Chapter 3: Enough is EnoughChapter 4: Revolutionary ChangesChapter 5: The French ConnectionChapter 6: The Doctor’s Orders: A Change of RegimeChapter 7: Getting Armed and ReadyChapter 8: Bienvenue Au Maroc! (Welcome To Morocco!)Chapter 9: Dr Zinsou Sends the Dirty NinetyChapter 10: The Omegas are ComingChapter 11: Facing Reality: Surprise SurpriseChapter 12: A Three-Hour DisasterChapter 13: The AftermathChapter 14: Whose VictoryChapter 15: Pandora’s BoxesChapter 16: No End to TroublesChapter 17: Justice DelayedChapter 18: The End of an EpochAppendix A: Timeline of EventsAppendix B: Operation Crevette: European mercenaries listed by Benin’s authoritiesAppendix C: Operation Crevette: African mercenaries listed by Benin’s authoritiesAppendix D: Resolution 404 (1977) of 8 February 1977Appendix E: Resolution 405 (1977) of 14 April 1977Appendix F: UN Security Council Letter Dated 13 June 1979BibliographyAbout the Authors

In 1977, French mercenaries led by Bob Denard commenced a coup d'état against President Mathieu Kérékou of the People’s Republic of Benin. This failed coup d'état, code-named Opération Crevette, is the subject of this work by Les Sosnowski, a practicing attorney specializing in international law, and Monique Sosnowski. Opération Crevette was one of numerous coups d'état attempted in Benin as the new state struggled to exist. Exploring the role played by Denard, a French-born mercenary, and the French state in this attempted overthrow of Mathieu Kérékou, the authors highlight the intersection between internal and external forces within Africa in this period within a complicated and ever-changing situation. Drawing from a variety of primary sources, they examine further the situation in Benin; the development of Opération Crevette, especially after Mathieu Kérékou embraced Marxist ideas; and the failed coup and its consequences through a series of chronological chapters. The use of personal accounts and memoirs allows the authors to develop a fuller account of the failed coup, while the included appendixes provide lists of those who participated. Recommended. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals.