Overview

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. Operation 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. Operation Crevette was a mercenary operation which was intended to remove Benin’s 11th 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. Monique and Les 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.

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9781666911237

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Reviews

It has taken decades for a good, well-researched assessment of what took place in that mercenary attack in West Africa many years ago to emerge. Les and Monique Sosnowski's book provides this strong assessment and addresses Bob Denard's role. The mercenary attack, headed by the irrepressible Bob Denard (who I knew well), set the scene for a plethora of 'War Dog' adventures that were to follow. --Al J. Venter, author of 'Takka Takka Bom Bom: An Intrepid War Correspondent's 50 Year Odyssey' Les and Monique Sosnowski have provided a comprehensive discussion and critical analysis of French colonial legacies and strategic interests, the Cold War, civil governance, military coup d'etat, regional geopolitics, and foreign mercenaries in the Republic of Benin. African heads of state, policy makers, diplomats, political scientists, and historians must read this book. --Scopas S. Poggo, The Ohio State University

Author Information

Les Sosnowski is practicing attorney specializing in international law and a member of the American Immigration Law Association. Monique Sosnowski is assistant professor in the Criminal Justice Department at the Farmingdale State College.

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