Abstract
Portugal's intervention in the Guineacute-Bissau crisis of 1998-99 was designed in part to assert a continuing special relationship with Africa and in part to give purpose to the Community of Portuguese-Speaking States (CPLP) as an inter-governmental organization. Ultimately, the undertaking illustrated the limits rather than the possibilities of peacemaking and peacekeeping by former colonial powers in Africa. These limits were set by differences of interests and perspectives within the CPLP itself; accusations of 'neo-colonialism' from local interests; diplomatic tensions between Portugal and other external actors (notably France); and rivalry with the dominant regional organization (ECOWAS). Faced with these difficulties, and despite an initially promising engagement, the CPLP was eventually marginalized from the conflict resolution process in Guineacute.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1-26 |
Number of pages | 26 |
Journal | International Peacekeeping |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jun 2003 |