Second Congo War

Second Congo War. This major conflict in central Africa, often called the Great War of Africa, began in August 1998. It directly involved eight African nations and numerous armed groups, stemming from the unresolved aftermath of the First Congo War and the Rwandan genocide. The war resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with millions of deaths primarily from disease and starvation.

Background and causes

The immediate catalyst was the deteriorating relationship between Laurent-Désiré Kabila, the president installed after the First Congo War, and his former allies Rwanda and Uganda. Kabila's decision to expel Rwandan Patriotic Front advisors and his failure to control anti-Tutsi elements and dismantle the Interahamwe and ex-FAR militias, which had fled Rwanda after the genocide, created profound security concerns for Paul Kagame's government. Regional tensions were further inflamed by the complex geopolitics surrounding resources in regions like Katanga and Kivu, and the ongoing insurgencies supported by Sudan and Uganda in neighboring countries. The presence of foreign armies from the previous war also set a precedent for intervention.

Course of the war

The war erupted on 2 August 1998 when the Banyamulenge in South Kivu, backed by Rwanda, rebelled. Rwanda and Uganda quickly launched a joint offensive, nearly capturing the capital Kinshasa in a swift campaign. The Battle of Kinshasa was only thwarted by the military intervention of Angola, Zimbabwe, and Namibia on behalf of Kabila. The conflict then stalemated, dividing the country with rebel groups like the Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie controlling the east and the Mouvement de Libération du Congo holding the northwest. Major battles included the Battle of Ikela and fighting for control of Kisangani. The assassination of Laurent-Désiré Kabila in January 2001 and his succession by his son Joseph Kabila altered the diplomatic landscape, leading to gradual peace initiatives.

Foreign involvement

The conflict was characterized by extensive internationalization. Rwanda and Uganda were primary belligerents supporting rebel factions, though they later clashed against each other in the Kisangani battles. The Kabila government was sustained by the military forces of Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe, Angola seeking to counter UNITA, and Namibia. Burundi also intervened against its own rebel bases. Other actors included Chad and Libya providing early support to Kinshasa, while Sudan was accused of backing certain militias. The involvement of nations like Zimbabwe and Angola was often linked to securing mining contracts in regions like Katanga.

Aftermath and legacy

Formal hostilities concluded with the Pretoria Accord and the establishment of a transitional government in 2003, integrating former rebels. The conflict caused an estimated 3 to 5.4 million deaths, making it the world's deadliest since World War II. The war's end did not bring stability to the east, where lingering militias like the FDLR and violence involving groups like the M23 sparked the ongoing Kivu conflict. The International Criminal Court has investigated war crimes, including the Ituri conflict. The conflict fundamentally reshaped regional politics, entrenched a war economy based on coltan and other minerals, and left a legacy of profound state fragility and humanitarian suffering in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

See also

* First Congo War * Kivu conflict * Lord's Resistance Army * United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo * African World War

Category:Wars involving the Democratic Republic of the Congo Category:History of Central Africa Category:1990s conflicts