First Congo War

October 24, 1996 – May 16, 1997 · Kinshasa

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1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

First Congo War

Second Congo War

Rebels led by Laurent-Désiré Kabila, backed by Rwanda and Uganda, swept across Zaire and overthrew Mobutu Sese Seko. The country was renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Sides

AFDL and allies

AFDL

Rwanda

Uganda

Laurent-Désiré Kabila Rebel leader, Led the AFDL and became president

Paul Kagame Vice President of Rwanda, Rwanda organised and backed the rebellion

Zaire

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mobutu Sese Seko President of Zaire, Overthrown and fled into exile