GREAT WAR OF AFRICA Second Congo War
General Overview Began in 1998, Declared over in 2003 Very unstable part of the world Estimated 5,400,000 deaths to date – 45,000 per month People suffer from disease and starvation UN’s longest missions – 13 years – there to halt all attacks
The Great War of Africa Involved 8 African Nations 25 different armed groups
The Beginning RDR Militias doing cross border raids from Zaire to Rwanda – occurring after Rwandan Genocide Sent to Refugee Camps in the Eastern Congo Rwandan Government protested a violation of geographical territorial integrity Zaire (Congo) denied
Leading to a Mutiny Rebel Forces from Rwanda, Uganda and Angola moved through the Congo River – with leadership from Rwandan Leader Kabila Received little resistance from Mobutu (Congolese Leader) Kabila’s Forces slowly took over border towns and mines
Through the River
A Rebellion Begins Reports of brutal massacres and repression from Kabila’s Rebel Army A UN representative got involved – found out about 60,000+ killed In mid-1997, Kabila launched an offensive Alliance of Democratic Forces fir the Liberation of Congo (ADFLC) towards government in order for a surrender 3 months later, Mobutu fled the country to Morocco, shortly died afterwards
Recap Raids into Rwanda by Congo RDR Militias Rwanda accused Congo of actions, Congo denied Rwandan Leader Kabila made rebel force with Rwanda, Uganda and Angola – began raid on Congo through river Kabila launched ADFLC offensive against Congolese Government Mobutu (Congo Leader) fled and died shortly after
Power in New Hands Successful take-over of Congo Government Congolese citizens refuse to leave Renamed the country; “The Democratic Republic of Congo” Dismissed Rwandan Chief of Staff, replaced by Congolese Man Dismissed Rwandan chief now named Military Advisor Then ordered all Rwandans and Ugandans out of country
Retaliation Tutsi Rwandans “Banyamulenge” rebelled against new Kabila Congo government and broke into the Congo Government of Rwanda formed allies with Uganda and Burundi – They occupied North Congo
Kabila’s Defense Sent out radio broadcast “People must bring a machete, a spear, an arrow, a hoe, spades, rakes, nails, truncheons, electric irons, barbed wire, stones, and the like, in order, dear listeners, to kill the Rwandan Tutsis” - Kabila
Building an Army Rwandans hijacked 3 planes and flew them to the government base of in Western Congo Built up an army Given food and water Given weapons
Kabila’s Plan Made allies with Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Angola – soon after joined by Chad, Libya, and Sudan
The Two Sides Kabila’s ArmyRwandan Rebel Forces The Democratic Republic of Congo Rwanda NamibiaUganda ZimbabweBurundi Angola Chad Libya Sudan
Agreements on the Two Sides Kabila signed a ceasefire in April 1999 Rwanda, Uganda, Angola, and Zimbabwe signed a ceasefire in 1999 UN Sent over 100 people to help with ceasefire Allies such as Rwanda and Uganda began to fight over territory In 2000, over 5000 UN workers were sent over
Agreements Between 2001 and 2003, multiple peace and political agreements were signed AgreementDescription Sun City Agreement Congo was seen as a unified, multipartite government Pretoria Accord Rwanda and Congo peace agreement Luanda Agreement Congo and Uganda peace agreement
Africa Today UN’s longest mission to date: 13 years to date Fighting still occurring today Full of poverty, disease, and starvation Over 18,000 people helping with the UN’s MONUC mission
Why Do We care? Africa has many 3 rd world countries that are in a developing state – Canada is a fully developed 1 st world country Majority of us have clean water and food All of us are “concerned” about our social lives, what clothes we wear, and peoples opinions about us Most people in Africa are concerned about having something to eat and having a safe place to stay
How We Can Help Volunteer overseas Donate to different organizations like Free the Children, Red Cross, CCF, etc Register to pledge a deserving child
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