VII. The Contemporary Period, 1945–2000 > I. Africa, 1941–2000 > 2. Regions > d. West Central Africa > 3. Zaire (Congo)
  PREVIOUS NEXT  
CONTENTS · SUBJECT INDEX · BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD
  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.
 
 
3. Zaire (Congo)
1959
 
Belgium was forced to abandon its slow pace of reform by the popular mobilization in Congo; it moved toward immediate independence.  1
 
1960, Jan. 25
 
The Round Table Conference in Belgium agreed to independence for Congo in June 1960; an election campaign stoked ethnic and rural mobilization.  2
 
May
 
The Congo national election gave the advantage to the Mouvement National Congolais-Lumumba (MNC/L); Patrice Lumumba became prime minister at the head of a precariously divided coalition, with Joseph Kasavubu as president (June 1960).  3
 
July 4
 
The Congo crisis began with the revolt of the army against the all-European officer corps; the army remained in anarchic rebellion for several weeks.  4
 
July 10
 
Belgian troops intervened to protect whites but also to support the Katanga secession; the Congo government appealed to the UN, which sent troops that remained until 1964. The U.S. opposed and the USSR supported Lumumba.  5
 
July 11
 
Moise Tshombe and the Confédération des Association Tribales du Katanga (CONAKAT), in alliance with European mining interests and Belgian colonists, led the secession of Katanga Province.  6
 
Sept
 
Pres. Kasavubu and Prime Minister Lumumba attempted to dismiss one another, leading to a collapse of central government.  7
 
Nov. 27
 
Lumumba escaped UN confinement, was captured, and was killed in Katanga.  8
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

CONTENTS · SUBJECT INDEX · BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD
  PREVIOUS NEXT