Congo Crisis

The Republic of the Congo became independent from Belgium in June 1960, but army mutiny, Belgian intervention and the secession of Katanga rapidly destabilised the new state. Competing leaders and foreign governments treated the crisis as part of the Cold War.

United Nations forces attempted to preserve the country’s territorial unity while mercenaries and mining interests supported rival authorities. Patrice Lumumba was overthrown and killed, and Joseph-Désiré Mobutu eventually consolidated power.