UN in the Congo

• July 1960:

  • Army mutinied against both its Belgian officers + the new Congolese government.

  Brutal attacks targeted white people, thousands of Belgians fled the Congo.
• Belgium sent in troops to the Congo to protect white Europeans, increasing violence.

  Government position worsened when local leader Moise Tshombe declared independence for resource rich province of Katanga.
• Lumumba and Kasavubu asked UN to intervene;

  • Secretary General, Dag Hammarskjold called a meeting of the Security council
  • Agreed UN Council Forces (ONUC) would go immediately to Congo - replace Belgian troops and restore order
• September 1960

  Lumumba + Kasavubu dismiss each-other.

  • Mobutu Sese Seko staged a military coup, supported by Kasavubu.
• January 1961

  • Lumumba murdered after being captured by Tshombe's men.
  • The Congo was divided both politically and geographically

  Situation was at risk of developing into full scale war

  Potential to de-stabilise the entire region.
• January 1961: Angola war of independence.

  • Uganda, Kenya and Rhodesia were all British territories in the process of gaining independence.