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The African World War: The Deadliest Conflict Since WW2
It was a conflict that resulted in the deaths of millions of people and involved multiple armed groups, foreign armies, and militias. Yet, somehow, it has gone relatively unnoticed.
The complexity and scale of the conflict, combined with other global events and the difficulty of engaging with so many armed groups, are some of the reasons why the Second Congo War has not received the attention it deserves.
So that being said, join me as I provide you all with a brief history of the Second Congo War, examining the key events, players, and factors that contributed to the conflict. We will also explore the devastating impact of the war on the people of the DRC, and the legacy that it continues to leave on the region today.
Setting the Stage
Ever since Congo’s declaration of independence from Belgium on June 30th, 1960, the country has struggled to form a stable, democratic government.
This led to a series of coups and changes in leadership. In fact, the nation’s first-ever Prime Minister, Patrice Lumumba, was overthrown in a coup just months after the day that he took office, which was also the day that also happened to be the day that Congo declared…
