DOCSLIB.ORG

University Microfilms, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan an ANALÎSIS of the FACTORS

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
University Microfilms, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan an ANALÎSIS of the FACTORS MASTER'S THESIS M-590 TRUMPS, Shirly Ray. AN ANALYSIS OF THE FACTORS CAUSING THE KATANGA-CONGO SPLIT. The American University, M.A., 1964 Political Science, international law and relations University Microfilms, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan AN ANALÎSIS OF THE FACTORS CAUSING THE KATANGA-CONGO SPLIT A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the School of International Service The American U niversity In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts In Area Studies Committee' a signature r Chairman by C S h irly R^1 Trumps Dates November 1963 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY MAR 2 3 1CS4 . r WASHINGTON. P,■o TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER P'^GE I . INTRODUCTION............................................................................................ 1 Statement of the problem ............................................................ 3 purpose of the th e sis ................................................................. 5 I I . BACKGROUND OF THE CONGO CRISIS.................................................... 6 I I I . THE PHYSIOGRAPHIC FACTORS........................................................... 34 G e n e r a l................................................................................................. 34 Size and Location 35 B ou nd aries ....................................................... 36 C lim a t e ................................................................................................. 37 M in era ls................................................................................................. 37 A n a ly s is................................................................................................. 38 IV. THE DEMOGRAPHIC " f a c t o r s ................................................................ ^ G e n e r a l................................................................................................. 40 Population figures .......................................................................... 41 Population groups .......................................................................... 42 Population trends .......................................................................... 43 A n a ly sis...................... 43 V, THE HISTORICAL FACTORS..................................................................... 45 G e n e r a l................................................................................................. 45 Ancient Congolese Monarchies ................................................... 46 Empires of the Congo ..................................................................... 48 The Congo Free State ................................................................ , 50 11 CHAPTER PAGE A nalysis .............................................................................. 53 V I. THE ECONOMIC FACTORS...................................................................... 56 General ............................................................................... 56 Union M inière du Haut Ka ta n g a......................... 59 A n a ly s is.................................................................................................. 63 V II. THE POLITICAL FACTORS.................................................................... 66 G e n e r a l.................................................................................................. 66 Political parties ........................................................................... 68 A n aly sis .................................................................................................. 92 V III. THE SOCIO-GULTÜRAL FACTORS............................................................... 98 G e n e r a l....................................................... 98 Policy of Liberalism and paternalism .................................... 100 Education and Religion................................................................. 103 Urbanization . ........................................................................................ 106 A nalysis ........................................................................ ..... I l l IX. THE MILITARY FACTORS...................................................................... 114 G e n e r a l.................................................................................................. 114 Force publique.................................................................................... 114 A n aly sis .................................................................................................. 119 X, CONCLUSIONS............................................................................... 121 BIBLIOGRAPHY........................................................................................................... 125 111 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION P rio r to World War I I the Congo was v ir tu a lly is o la te d from the rest of Africa and appeared to be happy under the rule of the Belgians, AS a result of World War II the isolation barrier of the Congo was bro­ ken. Congolese were coining into contact with other African troops who had served in Egypt, the Middle East and Burma, and were learning of the outside world. In the Congo itself the Congolese had the opportu­ nity to observe the American Negro soldier being treated as an equal to his white counterpart. By the end of World War II the elites, the racial separation policy of the Belgian Government, individual European settlers, and the vast movement fo r independence which was beginning to emerge throughout co­ lonial Africa, threatened the colonial regime of the Congo,^ I t was a t th is time th a t voices could be heard in the Congo de­ manding changes and eventual independence. The f i r s t demands were fo r better economic and social conditions. Particularly, they desired as­ similation to European status. This desire for assimilation carried with it the desire for independence. When the Belgians noticed that their * Paternalistic Policy* would not work in the Congo, the Government issued the Declaration of January iRPth S lade, The Belgian Congo (London; Oxford U niversity press, 1961) p, 53, 13, 1959. This declaration was preceded by a message from King Baudouin of Belgium stating; "it was the firm intention, without undiscernable procrastination, but also without undue haste, to lead the Congolese population towards independence in prosperity and peace, There were three widely different events which occurred outside the Congo which can be considered as primary causes for the issuance of the Declaration of January 13, 195,9 on the part of the Belgians; General de Gaulle's launching of the French community; the Brussels World pair; and the first All-African people’s Conference in Accra.3 In August 1958, de Gaulle arrived in Brazzaville, on the opposite side to the Congo riv e r from L eopoldville, and gave the French Congo­ lese a choice between membership in the French Community as an auton­ omous republic, or complete independence. Two days after this speech, an influential group of Congolese forwarded a firm memorandum to the Governor-General of the Congo firm ly s ta tin g th e ir demands fo r eventual complete independence,4 It was also during this period that prominent Congolese leaders were invited by the Belgian Government to attend the World Fair in Belgium. It was there, for the first time, that Congolese leaders from a l l p a rts of the Congo found themselves in close and continuous association with each other, previously, they had little opportunity ^Ibid, p, 50. ^colin Legum, Congo D isaster (Baltim ore; Penguin Books, 1961) p. 54. 4lbid. of meeting and discussing ideas under the Belgian colonial regime in the C ongo,3 finally, there was the third factor which preceded the Declaration the A ii-A frican p e o p le 's conference in Accra on December 5, 1958. The Belgian authorities placed no obstacles in the way of certain Congolese leaders who had been invited to attend the conference, it was at the Accra meeting that Patrice Lumumba, leader of the Mouvement National Congolaise (MNC) made a full-blooded nationalist soeech committing the MMC to full supoort for Accra's decision of immediate independence for all African countries, in January of 1960 representatives of the Belgian Government and the Congolese political loaders met at Brussels at the Round T-ble Conference to determine constitutional changes in the Congo. At this ccnierence it was announced on January 27, lOôO that independence for the Congo would begin on June 30, 1960,^ The Belgians were completely unurepared for the swiftness with which events had moved at the Round Table Cenference. The Belgians had never envisaged immediate independence. They believed that it was possible to achieve a peigian-Congolese Community. They also hoped, that their King might stiil be recognised as King of an independent Congo, nfhy did the '’ei.^ians lose tl'e conference? The Belgians suf­ fered from self-deception, they could not bring themselves to believe ^ibid. p. 55. ^Ib id . D. 7 3 or to understand the extent of the Congolese op osition to their con­ tinued rule, in addition, Belgium's political intelligence reported what the Government wanted to hear. These intelligence reports tend­ ed to show that the extremists demanding immediate independence were 7 in a small minority, sovereignty was granted to the Congo on June 30, 1960 and the first few days of independence were peaceful. However, four days later trouble started and tlie crisis of the Congo vjas launched on the arena of world politics, (pn
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Directors Fortnight Cannes 2000 Winner Best Feature
    DIRECTORS WINNER FORTNIGHT BEST FEATURE CANNES PAN-AFRICAN FILM 2000 FESTIVAL L.A. A FILM BY RAOUL PECK A ZEITGEIST FILMS RELEASE JACQUES BIDOU presents A FILM BY RAOUL PECK Patrice Lumumba Eriq Ebouaney Joseph Mobutu Alex Descas Maurice Mpolo Théophile Moussa Sowié Joseph Kasa Vubu Maka Kotto Godefroid Munungo Dieudonné Kabongo Moïse Tshombe Pascal Nzonzi Walter J. Ganshof Van der Meersch André Debaar Joseph Okito Cheik Doukouré Thomas Kanza Oumar Diop Makena Pauline Lumumba Mariam Kaba General Emile Janssens Rudi Delhem Director Raoul Peck Screenplay Raoul Peck Pascal Bonitzer Music Jean-Claude Petit Executive Producer Jacques Bidou Production Manager Patrick Meunier Marianne Dumoulin Director of Photography Bernard Lutic 1st Assistant Director Jacques Cluzard Casting Sylvie Brocheré Artistic Director Denis Renault Art DIrector André Fonsny Costumes Charlotte David Editor Jacques Comets Sound Mixer Jean-Pierre Laforce Filmed in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Belgium A French/Belgian/Haitian/German co-production, 2000 In French with English subtitles 35mm • Color • Dolby Stereo SRD • 1:1.85 • 3144 meters Running time: 115 mins A ZEITGEIST FILMS RELEASE 247 CENTRE ST • 2ND FL • NEW YORK • NY 10013 www.zeitgeistfilm.com • [email protected] (212) 274-1989 • FAX (212) 274-1644 At the Berlin Conference of 1885, Europe divided up the African continent. The Congo became the personal property of King Leopold II of Belgium. On June 30, 1960, a young self-taught nationalist, Patrice Lumumba, became, at age 36, the first head of government of the new independent state. He would last two months in office. This is a true story. SYNOPSIS LUMUMBA is a gripping political thriller which tells the story of the legendary African leader Patrice Emery Lumumba.
    [Show full text]
  • Thesis-1975-W374r.Pdf
    THE ROLE OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT: THE CASE OF ZAIRE . By JACK EDWARD WEBER II Bachelor of Arts in Education Northeastern Oklahoma. State University Tahlequah, Oklahoma 1967 Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate College of the Oklahoma.S:tate University in partial fulfillment . .-of the requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS July, 1975 Of<!.AftOMA STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY OCT 23 W75 THE ROLE OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT: THE CASE OF ZAIRE Thesis Approved: nn.A~- Dean of the Graduate College 923625 ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS One of the truly enduring pleasures· of political science study is the unstinting courtesy and coc;iperatio~ .one mee.ts; .at the hat?-ds of fellow students and professors:•. · It: .is. difficult to· .enumerate: all those who assisted me in .. the preparation of .this thesis. Nonetheless, I must give special thanks to those.whose.ass.istance was· particqlarly valtlable. I should first thank Mr. Harold Sare, .Dr. Clifford Rich, Dr. Franz van Saur and Dr. Raymond.Habiby for their.comments.and criticism of this paper. Additiona,lly, .I should ex.tend .m.y .appreciation .to the staff · members of the Oklahoma State.University Library, who.met my many re­ quests with their usual kindness .and equanimity. Finally, I alJ!. especially grateful to my.wife, Debbie, and my children,. Todd and Reagan, for their .quiel: understanding· and continued assistance in the preparation.of this thesis. iii TABLE·· OF CONTENTS Chapter Page L INTRODUCTION 1 II. ANATOMY OF LEADERSHIP . 10 III. THE SECOND POLITICAL GENERATION 25 IV. CONCLUSIONS 46 A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY • .
    [Show full text]
  • Jeremy Mcmaster Rich
    Jeremy McMaster Rich Associate Professor, Department of Social Sciences Marywood University 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509 570-348-6211 extension 2617 [email protected] EDUCATION Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. Ph.D., History, June 2002 Thesis: “Eating Disorders: A Social History of Food Supply and Consumption in Colonial Libreville, 1840-1960.” Dissertation Advisor: Dr. Phyllis Martin Major Field: African history. Minor Fields: Modern West European history, African Studies Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. M.A., History, December 1994 University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. B.A. with Honors, History, June 1993 Dean’s List 1990-1991, 1992-1993 TEACHING Marywood University, Scranton, PA. Associate Professor, Dept. of Social Sciences, 2011- Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN. Associate Professor, Dept. of History, 2007-2011 Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN. Assistant Professor, Dept. of History, 2006-2007 University of Maine at Machias, Machias, ME. Assistant Professor, Dept. of History, 2005-2006 Cabrini College, Radnor, PA. Assistant Professor (term contract), Dept. of History, 2002-2004 Colby College, Waterville, ME. Visiting Instructor, Dept. of History, 2001-2002 CLASSES TAUGHT African History survey, African-American History survey (2 semesters), Atlantic Slave Trade, Christianity in Modern Africa (online and on-site), College Success, Contemporary Africa, France and the Middle East, Gender in Modern Africa, Global Environmental History in the Twentieth Century, Historical Methods (graduate course only), Historiography, Modern Middle East History, US History survey to 1877 and 1877-present (2 semesters), Women in Modern Africa (online and on-site courses), Twentieth Century Global History, World History survey to 1500 and 1500 to present (2 semesters, distance and on-site courses) BOOKS With Douglas Yates.
    [Show full text]
  • Front Matter.P65
    Confidential U.S. State Department Central Files CONGO 1960–January 1963 INTERNAL AFFAIRS Decimal Numbers 755A, 770G, 855A, 870G, 955A, and 970G and FOREIGN AFFAIRS Decimal Numbers 655A, 670G, 611.55A, and 611.70G Project Coordinator Robert E. Lester Guide Compiled by Martin Schipper A UPA Collection from 4520 East-West Highway • Bethesda, MD 20814-3389 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Confidential U.S. State Department central files. Congo, 1960–January 1963 [microform] : internal affairs and foreign affairs / [project coordinator, Robert E. Lester]. microfilm reels ; 35 mm. Accompanied by a printed guide, compiled by Martin Schipper, entitled: A guide to the microfilm edition of Confidential U.S. State Department central files. Congo, 1960–January 1963. “The documents reproduced in this publication are among the records of the U.S. Department of State in the custody of the National Archives of the United States.” ISBN 1-55655-809-0 1. Congo (Democratic Republic)—History—Civil War, 1960–1965—Sources. 2. Congo (Democratic Republic)—Politics and government—1960–1997—Sources. 3. Congo (Democratic Republic)—Foreign relations—1960–1997—Sources. 4. United States. Dept. of State—Archives. I. Title: Confidential US State Department central files. Congo, 1960–January 1963. II. Lester, Robert. III. Schipper, Martin Paul. IV. United States. Dept. of State. V. United States. National Archives and Records Administration. VI. University Publications of America (Firm) VII. Title: Guide to the microfilm edition of Confidential U.S. State Department central files. Congo, 1960–January 1963. DT658.22 967.5103’1—dc21 2001045336 CIP The documents reproduced in this publication are among the records of the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Gender and Decolonization in the Congo
    GENDER AND DECOLONIZATION IN THE CONGO 9780230615571_01_prexiv.indd i 6/11/2010 9:30:52 PM This page intentionally left blank GENDER AND DECOLONIZATION IN THE CONGO THE LEGACY OF PATRICE LUMUMBA Karen Bouwer 9780230615571_01_prexiv.indd iii 6/11/2010 9:30:52 PM GENDER AND DECOLONIZATION IN THE CONGO Copyright © Karen Bouwer, 2010. All rights reserved. First published in 2010 by PALGRAVE MACMILLAN® in the United States—a division of St. Martin’s Press LLC, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010. Where this book is distributed in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world, this is by Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited, registered in England, company number 785998, of Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS. Palgrave Macmillan is the global academic imprint of the above companies and has companies and representatives throughout the world. Palgrave® and Macmillan® are registered trademarks in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and other countries. ISBN: 978–0–230–61557–1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Bouwer, Karen. Gender and decolonization in the Congo : the legacy of Patrice Lumumba / Karen Bouwer. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978–0–230–61557–1 (hardback) 1. Lumumba, Patrice, 1925–1961—Political and social views. 2. Lumumba, Patrice, 1925–1961—Relations with women. 3. Lumumba, Patrice, 1925–1961—Influence. 4. Sex role—Congo (Democratic Republic)—History—20th century. 5. Women—Political activity— Congo (Democratic Republic)—History—20th century. 6. Decolonization—Congo (Democratic Republic)—History—20th century. 7. Congo (Democratic Republic)—Politics and government— 1960–1997. 8. Congo (Democratic Republic)—Social conditions—20th century.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 the Congo Crisis, 1960-1961
    The Congo Crisis, 1960-1961: A Critical Oral History Conference Organized by: The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars’ Cold War International History Project and Africa Program Sponsored by: The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars September 23-24, 2004 Opening of Conference – September 23, 2004 CHRISTIAN OSTERMANN: Ladies and gentlemen I think we’ll get started even though we’re still expecting a few colleagues who haven’t arrived yet, but I think we should get started because we have quite an agenda for this meeting. Welcome all of you to the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; my name is Christian Ostermann. I direct one of the programs here at the Woodrow Wilson Center, the Cold War International History Project. The Center is the United States’ official memorial to President Woodrow Wilson and it celebrates, commemorates Woodrow Wilson through a living memorial, that is, we bring scholars from around the world, about 150 each year to the Wilson center to do research and to write. In addition to hosting fellowship programs, the Center hosts 450 meetings each year on a broad array of topics related to international affairs. One of these meetings is taking place today, and it is a very special meeting, as I will explain in a few moments. This meeting is co-sponsored by the Center’s Cold War International History project and 1 the Center’s Africa Program, directed by former Congressman Howard Wolpe. He’s in Burundi as we speak here, but some of his staff will be joining us during the course of the day.
    [Show full text]
  • A Familiar Frontier: the Kennedy Administration in the Congo
    A Familiar Frontier: The Kennedy Administration in the Congo Master’s Thesis Presented To The Faculty of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Brandeis University Department of History David Engerman, Advisor In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Master’s Degree by Tyler Ritchie May 2012 ABSTRACT A Familiar Frontier: The Kennedy Administration in the Congo A thesis presented to the Department of History Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Brandeis University Waltham, Massachusetts By Tyler Ritchie Previous historical scholarship has tended to support the idea that John F. Kennedy’s inauguration began a period of increased U.S. involvement in and cooperation with Africa. However, U.S. treatment of the crisis in the Congo stayed remarkably the same from Eisenhower to Kennedy. In its treatment of Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba, its efforts to secure a new national leader, and its handling of the Belgian-backed, secessionist government in Katanga Province, the Kennedy Administration largely followed the lead of its immediate predecessor. This thesis uses government documents from the high levels of both Administrations to show that Kennedy’s advisers reflected the same assumptions, often wrong ones, about U.S. interests in the Congo and the dangers of communist takeover. This thesis concludes that any desire for a changed Africa policy was not strong enough to lead the U.S. to compromise its perceived national interests in the Congo. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1 Chapter One: Stanleyville 12 Chapter Two: Leopoldville 41 Chapter Three: Elisabethville 67 Conclusion 93 Bibliography 97 iii Introduction 1960 was known as the Year of Africa, a label that only calls the mind to the many previous years that Africa had spent either neglected or dominated by the West.
    [Show full text]
  • DRC: How the CIA Got Patrice Lumumba
    DRC: How the CIA Got Patrice Lumumba By François Soudan Region: sub-Saharan Africa Global Research, January 19, 2021 Theme: History theafricareport 13 January 2021 On 17 January 1961, just sixty years ago, the first legally elected prime minister of the DRC was assassinated after being overthrown with help from Washington. A sinister episode that Larry Devlin, the ‘Mr. Congo’ of the CIA from 1960 to 1967, would reveal half a century later in his fascinating book, ‘Chief of Station, Congo: Fighting the Cold War in a Hot Zone.’ Leopoldville, on 30 June 1960. With the declaration of its independence, the DRC finally emerges from its long colonial history. A new bilateral system is established with a head of state as cunning as he is impenetrable, Joseph Kasavubu, and a Prime Minister as charismatic as he is unpredictable, Patrice Lumumba. In bars, people dance to the rhythm of the Independence Cha Cha, but the euphoria will be short-lived. On 5 July, a mutiny broke out in the Thysville camp (Mbanza-Ngungu), then spread to the capital. Over a matter of pay, no doubt, but also a revolt against the continued Belgian presence in the DRC by virtue of bilateral agreements. “For the army and General Janssens, who commands it, has the impudence to say that independence means nothing.” On 11 July, the rich province of Katanga, where the Belgian “Mining Union” reigns, secedes under the leadership of Moïse Tshombe. South Kasai threatens to do the same. This new state-continent is on the verge of imploding. A tough guy It is in this context that the new CIA station chief landed at Leopoldville Beach on 10 July 1960.
    [Show full text]
  • Lence and Geographies of Hope in The
    GEOGRAPHIES OF VIOLENCE AND GEOGRAPHIES OF HOPE IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: INVESTIGATING THE SECESSIONIST DEFICIT OF THE CONGO WAR By Jaclyn Leigh Burger Submitted to the Faculty of the School of International Service of American University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts In International Peace and Conflict Resolution Chair: Professor Charles Call Professor Peter Lewis ;an of the School °l !% P \i I ^ O Q ^ h afp V 2007 American University Washington, D.C. 20016 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 1448700 INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. ® UMI UMI Microform 1448700 Copyright 2007 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. GEOGRAPHIES OF VIOLENCE AND GEOGRAPHIES OF HOPE IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: INVESTIGATING THE SECESSIONIST DEFICIT OF THE CONGO WAR By Jaclyn Leigh Burger ABSTRACT Following the outbreak of war in 1998, many expected the Congolese state to disintegrate into a constellation of micro-states.
    [Show full text]
  • South Africa and the 'Congo Crisis', 1960-1965
    South Africa and the ‘Congo Crisis’, 1960-1965 By Lazlo Patrick Christian Passemiers SUBMITTED IN FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS IN RESPECT OF THE DOCTORAL DEGREE QUALIFICATION IN AFRICA STUDIES IN THE CENTRE FOR AFRICA STUDIES, IN THE FACULTY OF THE HUMANITIES, AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE February 2016 Supervisor: Prof. I.R. Phimister Co-supervisor: Dr. A.P. Cohen Declaration (i) I, Lazlo Passemiers, declare that the Doctoral Degree research thesis that I herewith submit for the Doctoral Degree qualification in Africa Studies at the University of the Free State is my independent work and that I have not previously submitted it for a qualification at another institution of higher education. (ii) I, Lazlo Passemiers, hereby declare that I am aware that the copyright is vested in the University of the Free State. (iii) I, Lazlo Passemiers, hereby declare that all royalties as regards intellectual property that was developed during the course of and/or in connection with the study at the University of the Free State will accrue to the University. Signature: Date: I Abstract On 30 June 1960, the Belgian Congo gained independence. Congo’s newfound freedom was soon disrupted by a period of severe socio-political chaos and conflict that became known as the ‘Congo crisis’. The exact nature of the relationship between South Africa and the Congo crisis largely remains unknown. The thesis addresses this historiographical omission by asking three main questions. First, how was South Africa involved in the Congo crisis? Secondly, what was the rationale for its involvement? Thirdly, how was the Congo crisis perceived inside South Africa? Besides significantly strengthening and expanding the existing historiography on Pretoria’s involvement and South African mercenaries, hitherto neglected aspects of the crisis are also examined.
    [Show full text]
  • The Congo Crisis, 1960
    The Congo Crisis, 1960 CRISIS BACKGROUND GUIDE Vancouver Model United Nations The Twentieth Annual Session | January 29–31, 2021 Dear Delegates, William Tsai Secretary-General My name is Annushka Agarwal, and I am delighted to be directing the Historical Crisis Committee at this year’s iteration of VMUN, alongside your chair, Alec Yang, and crisis staff, Logan Higgins. For some context on me, I am currently in Grade 11 at West Point Grey Academy, and my interests include reading Russian literature, finding good math Vivian Gu puns, and contemplating the possibility of socialist utopia. Director-General This year, the HCC will be tackling the Congo Crisis of 1960, a period of post- Derek Wu independence conflict in the modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo. Prior to Chief of Staff 1960, the Congo was subject to the brutal repression of Belgian colonial rule, and consequently, continues to suffer from numerous sociocultural and economic divisions. Tyler Rosenzweig Independence was undoubtedly a necessity for the Congolese nation, but it also requires Director of Logistics politicians to navigate the uncharted territory of state building and decolonization in a way that is hindered by rampant instability and a lack of legitimacy around government institutions. While the Congo’s history is perhaps not the most well-known, it is in essence composed of the same story as every other postcolonial state: victimization, Joyce Chen emancipation, and hopefully, political reincarnation. USG General Assemblies Given that this is an advanced committee with a relatively complex topic, delegates will Ethan Jasny benefit from ensuring they have a reasonable knowledge of the political landscape of this USG Specialized Agencies time period, both from reading this backgrounder and ideally from consulting external sources as well.
    [Show full text]
  • Foreign Role in the Assassination of Patrice Lumumba
    International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies Volume 3, Issue 5, May 2016, PP 10-16 ISSN 2394-6288 (Print) & ISSN 2394-6296 (Online) Foreign Role in the Assassination of Patrice Lumumba Ashutosh Singh, Research Scholar Department of Western History, University of Lucknow, Lucknow ABSTRACT Patrice Lumumba was first elected Prime Minister of Congo after it gained independence from Belgium in 1960. However, Lumumba’s resistance to foreign economic exploitation won him enemies both outside and within the country. Lumumba was assassinated in January 1961 in the province of Katanga in Southern Congo. While, allegations have persisted and even proven of some foreign involvement in his assassination, the circumstances of his death continue to remain mysterious with many different versions of events. In 2002, Ludo de Witt’s book ‘The Assassination of Patrice Lumumba’ was published based on declassified Belgian Documents and first person accounts shedding great light on the sequence of events of the assassination. The purpose of this paper is to objectively study the role both CIA and Belgium played in removing Lumumba, and their plans for assassinating him from August 1960 till January 1961. Effort has been made to present the events in a chronological order which has been confusing as no single source contains all information and a variety of both primary and secondary sources had to be consulted to provide as complete a picture as possible. Keywords: Foreign, Role, Assassination, Lumumba INTRODUCTION Belgian Congo was the only Belgian overseas colony. Centrally located on the African continent, It was also the second largest African colony of any colonial power by area (the first being French Algeria) and arguably the richest in its mineral wealth.
    [Show full text]