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The Congo in the Cold War

The Congo in the Cold War. Background…. African States fought colonial domination in 1960’s Nationalist movements were poor and needed Superpower help bringing them into the Cold War The Congo was a colony of Belgium. Belgium and left on June 30 th 1960, giving only 6 months notice

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The Congo in the Cold War

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  1. The Congo in the Cold War

  2. Background… • African States fought colonial domination in 1960’s • Nationalist movements were poor and needed Superpower help bringing them into the Cold War • The Congo was a colony of Belgium. Belgiumand left on June 30th 1960, giving only 6 months notice • Congo was not ready to govern itself, no doctors, lawyers, military…

  3. Crisis • When Belgium left the National Army of the Congo (ANC) mutinied. Prime Minister Lumumba and President Kasavubuasked the UN for help • Belgium sent troops to protect its people from the rampaging ANC • Tshombe declares Katanga’s independence from the Congo. Katanga was a rich provice. Lumumba believes Britain and France put Toshombeup to it for control over the minerals

  4. UN Problems: • Needed to get the Belgium forces out & restore order • Needed to send troops because theCongolese government was not in control, but the UN needed to remain out of local politics because their purpose was to restore peace • Needed to prevent USA and USSR from getting involved

  5. UN Response • ONUC (Un troops) is set up to kick outBelgium troops who were reluctant to leave w/Congo unstable & disarm the AN • Belgium encouraged Katanga’s independence, UN did not want to attack because that would go beyond role of peacekeepers

  6. Soviet Interest • Lumumba feels betrayed by UN calls them a tool of the imperialists and becomes more anti-Western…Soviets become interested • Kasavubu firesLumumba…then Lumumba firesKasavubu…no real government • UN representative Andrew Cordier tried to control the chaos by closing down air fields and radio stations…but it weakens Lumumba and strengthens his enemies

  7. Soviet Reaction: • Sept. 1960 Soviets Accuses UN of working against third world revolutions, and the Secretary General of the UN has too much power • Khrushchev says SG should be abolished because “There are neutral nations but no neutral men” • Wants a “Troika” council representedby Western, Communist and Afro-Asian countries…no one else agrees

  8. Crisis Intensifies • Mid. September ANC leader Mobutu announced an army coup & expels communist diplomats • Mobutu and Kasavubu make an alliance, Lumumba goes to the UN for protection • Nov. 1960 UN accepts delegation from M/K recognizing their regime over Lumumba’s • Lumumba feels betrayed, leaves UN protection, is captured by ANC, handed over to Tshombe

  9. Lumumba Mudered • Toshombe and Belgian officials decide to kill Lumumba. He is shot by a tree, hacked to pieces and burned. • They try to cover it up but do a very bad job of it

  10. UN Authorizes Force • Feb 21st 1961 ONUC authorized to use force to prevent full scale civil war • Katanga is now the focus, Tshombe’s regime was stable and prosperous due to European backing and ignores UN attempts at reunification

  11. End to the Crisis • UN authorizes force to crush Katanga rebellion, 1962 ONUC has control and Congo is reunified • 1964 UN forces leave the Congo…

  12. The Weird Twist… • Mobutu kicks Kasavubu out and elects Tshombe as Prime Minister • Mobutu has all the power and controls the Congo for over 30 years • He has one of the most corrupt regimes in the world • He uses the murder of Lumumba to unite the people…yet he knew of it and did not stop it

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