Conflict episode
Congo Crisis, 1960-1965
Within days of independence, a Force Publique mutiny and the secessions of Katanga and South Kasai plunged the new state into crisis; the Congo Crisis lasted until Joseph Mobutu's coup on 25 November 1965 and is estimated to have caused roughly 100,000 deaths.
What happened
On 5 July 1960, days after independence, soldiers of the Force Publique mutinied against their remaining white officers. Belgium sent troops to the Congo, and on 11 July 1960 the mineral-rich province of Katanga, led by Moïse Tshombe, declared secession with Belgian backing; the province of South Kasai, led by Albert Kalonji, followed with its own secession on 9 August 1960. The resulting crisis, which drew in UN peacekeeping forces and continued through further political instability, is estimated to have caused roughly 100,000 deaths before it ended with General Joseph Mobutu's coup on 25 November 1965.[1]
Sources for this page
Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.
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1.
Claim: On 5 July 1960, days after independence, soldiers of the Force Publique mutinied against their remaining white officers. Belgium sent troops to the Congo, and on 11 July 1960 the mineral-rich province of Katanga, led by Moïse Tshombe, declared secession with Belgian backing; the province of South Kasai, led by Albert Kalonji, seceded on 9 August 1960. The resulting Congo Crisis, drawing in UN peacekeeping forces, is estimated to have caused roughly 100,000 deaths before it ended with General Joseph Mobutu's coup on 25 November 1965.
- Congo Crisis (Wikipedia) link, article text. Source record