UPSC Prelims 2002 Q98: Current Affairs – International Conflicts & Security
Consider the following countries:
1. Angola
2. Colombia
3. Congo
4. Sudan
Which of these countries has/have been suffering from civil war?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3
- (c) 4 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation
Countries suffering civil war
| Country | Civil conflict around 2001 |
|---|---|
| Angola | Civil war between the MPLA government and UNITA until 2002 |
| Colombia | Conflict with FARC and paramilitary groups |
| Congo (DRC) | Second Congo war from 1998, with many armies involved |
| Sudan | North-south civil war, plus Darfur later |
All four countries — Angola, Colombia, Congo and Sudan — were suffering from civil war around 2001, so the answer is 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Angola was not the only country in civil war.
- (b) Incorrect. It leaves out Angola and Sudan, which also had civil wars.
- (c) Incorrect. It leaves out Angola, Colombia and Congo.
- (d) CORRECT. All four countries had civil wars.
Key point
Civil wars around 2001: Angola (to 2002), Colombia (from 1964), DRC (from 1998), Sudan (from 1983).
Remember
Angola, Colombia, Congo and Sudan all had civil wars around 2001.
Common mistakes
- Treating Colombia as a drug problem only.
- Thinking the Angolan war had ended earlier.
- Forgetting Sudan's long north-south conflict.
Exam tip
All four names are long-running conflicts in the news at that time.
Sources
- UCDP — conflict data
- The Hindu — international coverage 2001