INDEPENDENT AFRICA (CONGO)
Podcast : Topic 2 - Independent Africa (Congo)
Podcast : Topic 2 - Independent Africa (Congo and Tanzania)
Podcast : Topic 2 - Independent Africa (All)
Timeline
1959:
→ Violent protests erupt in Congo, prompting Belgium to grant immediate independence. Belgium
believed it could maintain control due to the inexperience of local Congolese politicians
1960:
→ Elections: 120 parties participate. The MNC (Congolese National Movement), led by Patrice Lumumba,
wins the most seats but not an outright majority
→ Lumumba forms a coalition government: He becomes Prime Minister with Joseph Kasavubu as
President
→ Lumumba aimed for a strong central government with a loose federation allowing regional autonomy
Events following Independence:
→ Mutiny in the Congolese army and attacks on Belgian property and civilians occur
→ The mineral-rich Katanga province, led by Moïse Tshombe, secedes with backing from Belgian mining
companies
→ Kasai province also breaks away, receiving support from the USSR
→ Belgium sends in troops, ostensibly to protect Belgian nationals but seen by many as an attempt to
restore colonial control
→ Lumumba appeals to the UN: He seeks aid to restore order, reunify the country, and secure the
departure of Belgian troops. The UN proves unable to resolve the situation
→ Lumumba turns to the USSR: He requests help, leading to the arrival of Soviet technicians and aid
→ USA and the West become alarmed by Lumumba's actions and Soviet involvement, leading to plans to
eliminate the perceived communist threat
1961:
→ Lumumba is deposed by Kasavubu and Mobutu takes power with Western support. The Soviets are
expelled from the country
→ January - Patrice Lumumba is murdered with alleged involvement from Mobutu, Tshombe, the CIA, and
Belgian agents. The UN takes no action to protect him. Lumumba is regarded as a martyr by many
communists and African nationalists
, 1961-1964:
→ The Congo experiences the ‘Congo Crisis’ a period of ongoing disunity, power struggles between regions
and leaders, and conflict
1963:
→ Katanga is forced to rejoin the Congo
1965:
→ November - Mobutu seizes power officially with US support. He establishes a one-party state and rules
as a dictator for 32 years
Mobutu's Rule:
→ He changes the country's name to Zaire
→ Receives substantial aid from the US, largely due to Cold War tensions and Zaire's mineral wealth. The
US saw Mobutu as a reliable anti-communist ally
→ His leadership is marked by corruption, kleptocracy, economic mismanagement, and a cult of
personality
1970s:
→ Zaire suffers a severe economic collapse, partly due to falling copper prices and Mobutu's
mismanagement. Opposition is brutally suppressed
1980s:
→ Despite Zaire's continued economic decline and the failures of Mobutu's policies, the West continues to
support him due to Cold War considerations
1990s:
→ With the end of the Cold War, the US withdraws support for Mobutu and criticizes his governance
1997:
→ Mobutu is overthrown in a civil war and flees into exile, eventually dying of cancer in September
Podcast : Topic 2 - Independent Africa (Congo)
Podcast : Topic 2 - Independent Africa (Congo and Tanzania)
Podcast : Topic 2 - Independent Africa (All)
Timeline
1959:
→ Violent protests erupt in Congo, prompting Belgium to grant immediate independence. Belgium
believed it could maintain control due to the inexperience of local Congolese politicians
1960:
→ Elections: 120 parties participate. The MNC (Congolese National Movement), led by Patrice Lumumba,
wins the most seats but not an outright majority
→ Lumumba forms a coalition government: He becomes Prime Minister with Joseph Kasavubu as
President
→ Lumumba aimed for a strong central government with a loose federation allowing regional autonomy
Events following Independence:
→ Mutiny in the Congolese army and attacks on Belgian property and civilians occur
→ The mineral-rich Katanga province, led by Moïse Tshombe, secedes with backing from Belgian mining
companies
→ Kasai province also breaks away, receiving support from the USSR
→ Belgium sends in troops, ostensibly to protect Belgian nationals but seen by many as an attempt to
restore colonial control
→ Lumumba appeals to the UN: He seeks aid to restore order, reunify the country, and secure the
departure of Belgian troops. The UN proves unable to resolve the situation
→ Lumumba turns to the USSR: He requests help, leading to the arrival of Soviet technicians and aid
→ USA and the West become alarmed by Lumumba's actions and Soviet involvement, leading to plans to
eliminate the perceived communist threat
1961:
→ Lumumba is deposed by Kasavubu and Mobutu takes power with Western support. The Soviets are
expelled from the country
→ January - Patrice Lumumba is murdered with alleged involvement from Mobutu, Tshombe, the CIA, and
Belgian agents. The UN takes no action to protect him. Lumumba is regarded as a martyr by many
communists and African nationalists
, 1961-1964:
→ The Congo experiences the ‘Congo Crisis’ a period of ongoing disunity, power struggles between regions
and leaders, and conflict
1963:
→ Katanga is forced to rejoin the Congo
1965:
→ November - Mobutu seizes power officially with US support. He establishes a one-party state and rules
as a dictator for 32 years
Mobutu's Rule:
→ He changes the country's name to Zaire
→ Receives substantial aid from the US, largely due to Cold War tensions and Zaire's mineral wealth. The
US saw Mobutu as a reliable anti-communist ally
→ His leadership is marked by corruption, kleptocracy, economic mismanagement, and a cult of
personality
1970s:
→ Zaire suffers a severe economic collapse, partly due to falling copper prices and Mobutu's
mismanagement. Opposition is brutally suppressed
1980s:
→ Despite Zaire's continued economic decline and the failures of Mobutu's policies, the West continues to
support him due to Cold War considerations
1990s:
→ With the end of the Cold War, the US withdraws support for Mobutu and criticizes his governance
1997:
→ Mobutu is overthrown in a civil war and flees into exile, eventually dying of cancer in September
