The Republic of Katanga seceded from Lumumba's Congo on 11 July 1960, sixty years ago. The dissident state was backed by the Union Minière du Haut Katanga & supported by Belgium.
Here's Katanga leader Moise Thombe raising the flag in Elizabethville. Clip from @Reuters. 1/3
Here's Katanga leader Moise Thombe raising the flag in Elizabethville. Clip from @Reuters. 1/3
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The army of Tshombe's Katanga relied on Belgian officers and South Africa & Rhodesian mercenaries. Hundreds of Africans enlisted too.
Here's a clip from early August 1960, showing young men from Elizabethville marching into the army camp as volunteers.
The army of Tshombe's Katanga relied on Belgian officers and South Africa & Rhodesian mercenaries. Hundreds of Africans enlisted too.
Here's a clip from early August 1960, showing young men from Elizabethville marching into the army camp as volunteers.
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Patrice Lumumba was ousted from Congo's presidency by Joseph Mobutu in Sept. 1960.
In Jan. 1961 Mobutu--wishing to be rid of Lumumba--sent him to Katanga, where he was executed by a firing squad. Moise Tshombe was there when he died.
Patrice Lumumba was ousted from Congo's presidency by Joseph Mobutu in Sept. 1960.
In Jan. 1961 Mobutu--wishing to be rid of Lumumba--sent him to Katanga, where he was executed by a firing squad. Moise Tshombe was there when he died.
Coda
The United Nations' first peacekeeping deployment was in Congo. After Lumumba's assassination UN troops--largely Malayans, Swedes, Irish, & Ethiopians--conducted a long campaign; and on 15 Jan. 1963 Tshombe surrendered.
Below: disarming of Katanga gendarmes, 27 Jan. 1963.
The United Nations' first peacekeeping deployment was in Congo. After Lumumba's assassination UN troops--largely Malayans, Swedes, Irish, & Ethiopians--conducted a long campaign; and on 15 Jan. 1963 Tshombe surrendered.
Below: disarming of Katanga gendarmes, 27 Jan. 1963.
