Congo Crisis of 1961 Essay Example

into Congo, he had promised to build schools, improves the lives of the Congolese people and also liberates them from Arab Slave traders. This, however, was not the case as he went on to become one of the most revered. During his tenure, it was even reported that more than 10 million people died of starvation, forced labor while others were exterminated.

Even as he exited power, the Belgian authorities still held a controlled the country’s economy with most of the resources and agricultural products being forwarded to the world markets while the profits were only shared between themselves and some Elite Congolese. This did not go well with the rest of the population so that by the close of 1950, they became more rebellious as they sought to take charge of their destiny. This essay will examine how the superpowers tried to exert their influence in Congo and how this later affected the Congolese people.

By the beginning of 1950, the decolonization wave had taken over Africa as most of the countries began regaining power from their colonial masters. The Belgians, who viewed the Congolese as being barbaric and incapable of ruling themselves, had hoped to keep the country under its control. Their plans, however, backfired as some of the Congolese leaders led by Patrice Lumumba, an intelligent and charismatic leader demanded independence.

Two weeks after DRC was granted its independence, the country was marred by crisis mainly because the Belgian colony has ensured that Congo was ill-equipped regarding trained professionals and college graduates. The Congolese soldiers mutinied as they demanded an increased pay as well as the removal of the Belgian soldiers from their ranks. Then

came the calls for a succession of the southern mineral rich region of Katanga.

Tshombe, the secession leader, hoped to protect the region from the chaos that had rocked the nation, and he also wanted to maintain ties with Belgium still. The president and the prime minister called for the United Nations to intervene because secession would threaten the piece of the nation that had just gained independence. The United Nations Operations in Congo was formed, but they later differed with Lumumba who wanted to use the troops to prevent the secession of Katanga, a move that was opposed because the UN referred to the matter as an internal crisis.

The province of South Kasai also sought independence citing the same reasons as Katanga. Lumumba who was devastated by these unfolding sought the help of Soviet Union. A military response ensued as the Soviet Union airlifted Congolese soldiers to invade Kasai. The aftermath was quite devastating as millions of people lost their lives while others were forced to flee and seek refuge. The United States which was angered by Lumumba’s decisions opted to support Joseph Mobutu and Kasa-Vubu. Patrice Lumumba was later assassinated by forces allied to Mobutu after he was released from a house arrest.

The death prompted the UN to hold several conferences in a bid to come to an agreement with the leaders to create a Federal State that incorporated all of the Congolese provinces. This move according to Pfefferle was opposed by Tshombe who still insisted on Katanga secession (3). This opposition forced the UN forces to go on an offensive mission under the code name ‘Operation Rumpunch’ that planned to disarm the Katanga

troops.

They managed to capture the Katanga military assets and neutralized the foreign mercenaries. Another operation called ‘Morthor’ was later launched after it became apparent that some of the Tshombe’s mercenaries were still in control of parts of Katanga. The operation, however, was met with lots of resistance and the United Nations Irish troops were even captured in a bid cow the battalion and also prevent resupply. The UN secretary, Dag Hammarskjold in his quest to intervene in the stand-off flew to Ndola but his plane crashed, and he died.

After Mobutu SeseSeko, a U.S backed dictator overthrew Patrice Lumumba and took over leadership amidst the Congo crisis of 1960; the country took a turn for the worst. His ascension to power marked the start of a period that was characterized by institutional corruption coupled with the misappropriation of the state’s resources (Juma 138). The impacts of corruption were mostly felt by the citizens who experienced a severe economic regime as the country’s debt hit $12 billion despite the vast wealth regarding natural resources.

The 1960 crisis was also the beginning of five-decade long internal conflicts with different entities being supported by the neighboring countries including Zimbabwe, Angola, and Namibia. The continued in-fighting has seen thousands of Congolese nationals seek refuge in various countries across the globe. The power struggles between the superpowers are still on-going as each of them turns a blind eye to the atrocities and vices to get a share of Congo’s abundant natural resources.

Among all the African countries, the Democratic Republic of Congo has always stood out as being one nation that attracts influences and interests from various players including foreign countries, international companies

as well as private enterprises. It is also imperative to note that both the U.S. government as well as the American firms have had vested interest in Congo’s rich landscape thus exacerbating the chaotic rivalry as it encouraged more super powers to become involved in the issues about the African States.

Another observation made by Mountz was that during the cold war period was the U.S policy that not only showed prejudice, but there was also an uncharacteristic reluctance and bias that was to a large extent influenced by anti-communist notions they held towards the emerging leaders such as Patrice Lumumba’s ideologies (15). It is evident that the United States used the supposed ‘fight against communism’ to avoid with some of the core issues such as freedom and democracy. Besides the other faults by the Belgians and the United Nations to oppose any meaningful progress, the Americans were also equally guilty especially when it chose to install Mobutu as the president of Congo.

The consequences of the Superpower’s actions are immeasurable more so because of the decisions they made mainly centered on America’s national interests and how they could benefit from the scenario. The continued nature of D.R.C as a dysfunctional state has made it the epitome of insecurity, corruption human rights abuses among other vices.

In conclusion, the American policy towards Africa and more importantly Congo just unearthed a country that had perfected its ways of conducting its policies but was however swayed by its strategic interests. The Congo crisis was a manifestation of just showed how determined the United States was in pursuing its interests, even supporting authoritarian regimes at the expense of the well-being of

the Congolese people.