Why Europe Intervenes in Africa

Why Europe Intervenes in Africa analyses the underlying causes of all European decisions for and against military interventions in conflicts in African states since the late 1980s. It focuses on the main European actors who have deployed troops in Africa: France, the United Kingdom and the European Union.

When conflict occurs in Africa, the response of European actors is generally inaction. This can be explained in several ways: the absence of strategic and economic interests, the unwillingness of European leaders to become involved in conflicts in former colonies, and sometimes the Euro-centric assumption that conflict in Africa is a normal event which does not require intervention. When European actors do decide to intervene, it is primarily for motives of security and prestige, rather than for economic or humanitarian reasons. The weight of past relations with Africa can also be a driver for European military intervention, but the impact of that past is changing.

This book offers a theory of European intervention based mainly on realist and post-colonial approaches. It refutes the assumptions of liberals and constructivists who posit that states and organisations intervene primarily in order to respect the principle of the 'responsibility to protect'.

An amazingly comprehensive study . . . fascinating. - Chartist

Gegout's book constitutes a solid and extremely comprehensive overview of interventionism in Africa . . . a welcome contribution. - European Review of International Studies

[An] ambitious and prodigiously researched book . . . Gegout's work is compelling and should be of significant interest to scholars and practitioners. - South African Journal of International Affairs

A great contribution to the conceptualisation of security, prestige, intervention, humanitarianism, conflict, and economic motivation . . . a provocative, critical and insightful reading about the real motives of interventions and their long-lasting impacts. - Africa at LSE Blog