With the end of World War II came the beginning of the end to much of the colonial rule throughout Africa. Many factors contributed to the resurgence of native African rule post World War II, but none more important than the militarization of the Africans during the war itself. Some of the more well-known uprisings included those within Kenya and Algeria. While the tactics of the natives around Africa varied due to the unique circumstances within each country, the African demands were the same. In time, in spite of the more advanced European armies, European countries were forced to yield varying amounts of power to the native Africans. Lands were returned, political reforms were made to please the African people, and new African leaders came to power.

               (Mobutu Sese Seko - above)                              (Mau Mau Uprising Rebels - above)

               The decolonization period, however, did not end the Africans problems or the Europeans influence in Africa. Africans found themselves without many institutions found in stable countries throughout the world, such as educational and social institutions. More importantly, the lack of a political institution in many of the African countries led to an incredible rise of conflict as military leaders constantly fought each other for power, making it impossible for further political reform.  While European countries no longer held direct control over the African countries, neocolonialism and internal colonialism still existed. The trades of resources, such as conflict diamonds, were largely controlled by numerous European countries. Furthermore, African leaders were often controlled or manipulated by European governments. Situations like the Cold War often put unpopular and vicious militaristic leaders into power in Africa. In the Belgium Congo during the Cold War, for example, the United States supported a brutal military leader, known for stealing money from his people to better himself, simply because he was against the Soviet Union. After the war was over, we renounced our support for Mobutu and he was forced out in 1997.

                                                        (The Conflict Diamonds - The Blood Diamonds)

                As the Cold War ended, instability reemerged as the leaders of several African countries were removed because of losing support from either the United States or Soviet Union. Poverty and violence clearly still exists today in Africa, as the world has seen civil war and genocide in numerous African countries, including Rwanda and Darfur. But many other model African nations, such as Sierra Leone and Mauritania, continue to move forward, giving people throughout Africa a hope for the future.  

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