Congo has had it’s share of turbulence and troubles over the years. It gained independence from Beligum in 1960, however it’s been racked with problems from the start.
- November 1965:with Financial support from the United States and Belgium, Col. Joseph Mobutu took control of the country in a coup over President Kasavubu, he remained in power for 32 years.
- A democracy of consecutive one party elections, human rights elections and extensive corruption reigned.
- After the Cold War ended, the US dropped relations with Kasavubu like a hot potato.
- 1997 Laurent Kabila took control, backed by supports from Rwanda/Uganda–Aug 1998, a 2nd attempted take over occurred. And angola, Chad, Namibia, Sudan and Zimbabwe joined the fray
- Cease-fire mixed with fighting until Kabila was killed in 2001.And his son Joseph Kabila took control and inaugurated in Dec 2006. (cia.gov/publications/the-world-factbook)
Today: DR Congolese forces attempt to retake control from the rebel forces led by Mr. Nkunda; he claims he is protecting the Tutsis from the forces that murdered them in the 1994 genocide, he believes the Democratic Forces for Liberation of Rwanda are in league with the Congolese.
Mr. Kabila is not satisfied with the relationship between Mr. Nkunda and the Rwanda government (Governed by President Paul Kagame) because of its strong Tutsi affliations. (see Economist )
Tens of thousands are fleeing DR Congo as the Tutsi rebel army marches toward Goma.
Let the mess continue.
