interimperialist conflict in Africa

Of course Alan Spectors is right.

Britain and France have "spheres of influence" in Africa, as does the
U.S., and for awhile, the Soviet Union.  Britain was largely "edged out
and propped up" by the U.S. as it set up its neocolonial system after
WWII.  ("Imperialism At Bay" is good on this history.)  France maintains
its West African sphere, posing as savior to the masses vis a vis other
powers of course, just like the U.S. did and does.

I don't have the full citation handy, but David Gibbs has written an
excellent book documenting U.S. economic interests vis a vis Belgium, 
France, and other powers, behind the 1960 Congo crisis and Lumumba's
assassination.

RH