Capital and Control: Neocolonialism Through the Militarization of African Wildlife Conservation

Militarized conservation efforts in Africa, particularly through protected areas like Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, perpetuate neocolonial control over wildlife and natural resources. This study reveals that contemporary African states' environmental policies remain entangled with colonial legacies, where former powers fund militarized conservation to retain influence. By analyzing literature and Virunga's colonial history, the research demonstrates how wildlife is framed as national capital, justifying military intervention against perceived threats. The approach combines historical case analysis with a critique of existing policies, exposing the persistence of neocolonial dynamics in postcolonial Africa.

Jones, E. (2021). Capital and Control: Neocolonialism Through the Militarization of African Wildlife Conservation. Flux: International Relations Review, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.26443/firr.v11i2.73