✦ History

Congo Crisis

July 5, 1960 – November 25, 1965

Political crisis and civil war in the Congo after independence from Belgium, with secessions, a UN intervention and Cold War rivalry. It ended with Mobutu's seizure of power.

View war on globe Full event page

Battles and events 5

September 5, 1960
Dissolution of the Lumumba Government Patrice Lumumba
January 17, 1961
Assassination of Patrice Lumumba Katanga Patrice Lumumba, Mobutu Sese Seko
September 13–17, 1961
Siege of Jadotville Likasi Pat Quinlan
August 1963
Kwilu rebellion Rebellion suppressed Tshombé Moïse, Joseph Kasa-Vubu
January 1964 – November 1964
Simba rebellion Democratic Republic of the Congo

Key commanders

United Nations 1

Pat Quinlan military commander

Belgium and allies 2

Tshombé Moïse military commander Joseph Kasa-Vubu military commander

Other 2

Patrice Lumumba Prime Minister of the Congo, Deposed in September 1960 and killed in January 1961 Mobutu Sese Seko Army chief of staff, Seized power in 1960 and again in 1965