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Capture Of Lubumbashi
The capture of Lubumbashi took place in April 1997, during the First Congo War in southern Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). The rebels of the AFDL, Alliance des forces démocratiques pour la libération du Congo (AFDL) took the city of Lubumbashi from the Zairean Armed Forces, Zairean armed forces (FAZ) loyal to President Mobutu Sese Seko. The city, capital of the mining province of Katanga Province, Katanga, was targeted by rebels following their conquest of eastern Zaire. Supported by their Rwandan allies, AFDL troops were joined by Katangese exiles from Angola. Airlifted to Zambia, the rebels overran the city's defenses and put the demoralized FAZ to flight. The capture of the city strengthened the legitimacy of Laurent-Désiré Kabila, leader of the AFDL, in his victorious advance until the capture of Kinshasa on May 17, 1997. Context In the 1990s, the dictatorship of Marshal Mobutu, established in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1965, was running out of stea ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
First Congo War
The First Congo War, also known as Africa's First World War, was a Civil war, civil and international military conflict that lasted from 24 October 1996 to 16 May 1997, primarily taking place in Zaire (which was renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the conflict). The war resulted in the overthrow of Zairean President Mobutu Sese Seko, who was replaced by rebel leader Laurent-Désiré Kabila. This conflict, which also involved multiple neighboring countries, set the stage for the Second Congo War (1998–2003) due to tensions between Kabila and his former allies. By 1996, Zaire was in a state of political and economic collapse, exacerbated by long-standing internal strife and the destabilizing effects of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which had led to the influx of refugees and militant groups into the country. The Zairean government under Mobutu, weakened by years of dictatorship and corruption, was unable to maintain control, and the army had deteriorated significa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
