The Congo War(s)

1996 - 1997 First Congo War(Zaire)

*1994 Rwandan Genocide & Burundi violence made members of Hutu group flee to Zaire.
*The War began as Rwanda grew increasingly concerned that members of Hutu were carrying out cross-border raids.
*The new Tutsi-dominated Rwandans began to give arms to Tutis's of eastern Zaire(Banyamulenge).
*The military dictator of Zaire, Mobutu(sup. by West)vigorously denounced this intervention.
*In 1997, rebel leader, Kabils(Communist) with his Tutsi fighters was able to overthrew Mobutu and proclaimed himself as president. Zaire become DRC.

1998 - 2003 Second Congo War

*In 1998, Kabila removed Tutsis from govt. & ordered the Rwandan, Ugandan officials out of DRC.
*The two countries turned against formed client, sending troops to aid rebels in DRC.
*Four main armed groups
**Tutsi-aligned forces, supported by Rwandans.
**Hutu-aligned forces, include Hutus reponsible for 1994 genocide.
**Ugandan-aligned forces, its national army interested in DRCs natural resources.
**Kinshasa-aligned forces, congolese national army.
*In 1998, Banyamulese erupted into mutiny. Kabila supports Hutu militants to suppress Tutsis.
*In 1999, Uganda & Rwanda clash for control over Congo territory.
*In 2001, Kabila was killed and his son Joseph Kabila was sworn in as President.
*Peace Agreement in 2002 at Pretoria on withdrawal of Ugandan, Rwandan troops & dismantalling of Hutu militants and come to effect on 2003.( Pretoria, executive capital of South Africa, Capetown being the other one, Bloemfontein,judicial capital)