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Perceptions of Canada’s engagement and influence in Africa are very much disconnected from reality. Canada’s image as a humane internationalist country deeply engaged with Africa relies on an idealized version of history, where we have provided steadfast support to the continent through aid, development assistance, and peacekeeping. At various times throughout Canadian foreign policy, the reality of our engagement with Africa has been much closer to that ideal than it is now. Today, the gap is arguably wider than ever: Canada maintains only 15 foreign missions in Africa, and these are charged with covering 54 countries; we have dramatically reduced …
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