D R Congo: Struggle for independence


Kyle Meade
Period 4
5/19/09
Hjelmgren

                                                                    Mini-paper #1
                           
                                                               D R 
Congo: Struggle for Independence                          


 

            Congo was established as a Belgian colony in 1908. It took 52 years for Congo to gain its independence in 1960. Prior to gaining independence Congo was brutally controlled by the Belgium colonists. The colonists viciously took over Congo and spared few people. Anyone who cried for independence was slain. The rubber companies caused much chaos in the Congo, for they forced the citizens to gather rubber and if they refused part of their spouse would be killed. With the addition of Congo people, that ruthlessly got their right hands chopped off to show a colonist killed a person.

            At this time it was obvious that it was time to fight for a free nation. Everyone, even the Belgians knew that they could not keep controlling Congo for long. Belgium finally pulled out without preparation. “June 30 1960 in elections that month, two prominent nationalists won: Patrice Lumumba of the leftist Movement National Congolese became prime minister and Joseph Kasavubu of the ABAKO Party became head of state.” (Pearson Education, Inc.)

            Even as Congo had gained independence not everything was as picture perfect as they thought it would be. Almost immediately the country broke out into civil war. “Col. Joseph Mobutu seized power and declared himself president in a November 1965 coup.” Through a few deceptive elections Mobutu was able to maintain his power in the Congo. Mobutu caused much discord and civil war, but eventually due to a rebel group lead by Laurent Kabila with help from Rwanda and Uganda, Mobutu’s regime was toppled. He renamed the country the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1997. In August 1998 Kabila’s regime was attacked once again, by Rwanda and Uganda. Troops from many different countries such as Sudan, Chad and Angola sent in aid to repel the rebels.

            After Laurent Kabila was assassinated in January 2001 his son Joseph took his place. Joseph was able to successfully negotiate the withdrawal of Rwandan forces in eastern Congo. “Two months later, the Pretoria Accord was signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and establish a government of national unity” (CIA). In the years to come there was still efforts to stabilize Congo but after the Pretoria Accord Congo really earned its independence after a long harsh road.




Works Cited



"CIA - The World Factbook -- Congo, Democratic Republic of the." Welcome to the CIA     Web Site Central Intelligence Agency. 04 May 2009      <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cg.html>.
    This was a great source for information on what happened after they gained     independence.
   

Congo, Democratic Republic of the: History, Geography, Government, and Culture     Infoplease.com." Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Biographies,     Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free online reference, research & homework help.         Infoplease.com. 07 May 2009 <http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0198161.html>.
    This source provides tons of information on Congo’s history.

Aboul-Enien, Youssef. "The African Stakes of the Congo War." Armor. 01 Jan 2007. 51. eLibrary. Proquest CSA. NEW TRIER TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL. 22 May 2009. <http://elibrary.bigchalk.com>.
This spoke of the fighting in Congo to receive independence

 


Kyle Meade: Last Updated May 22, 2009