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Period: to
CIA Meddling
1960-’68: CIA takes part in its largest covert op of all time, spending between $90 million and $150 million to ensure that the Democratic Republic of Congo remains a pro-western state and to aid its, at the time, weak military. (1) -
Independence
Congo gained independence as a free state known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo(4) (6) (1) (2) However, the paternalistic Belgian colonial state had been composed exclusively of European officials(2) -
Mutiny
July 5, 1960: Congolese soldiers mutiny (4) (1) against white Belgian officers who previously lead the congolese army and further attacks on americans living there. Belgium the sent paratroopers into the congo, but seeing how this was illegal it was seen as an invasion.(3) -
Belgian Re-engagement (exact date unknown)
July 1960: Belgians send in troops to stop the Congolese from killing more Belgians (4) (1) Katanga Province attempts to secede (1) -
UN Involvement
July 13, 1960: United Nations, with the backing of the United States, formed ONUC to intervene between Belgians and Congolese National Army (4) (1) United States hoped by backing the UN peace would be obtainable in Congo removing any need for the Congolese government to turn to soviets for help. (1) -
Soviets Pulled In (exact date unknown)
Summer 1960: UN fails to remove the Belgian forces and prevent the secession of Katanga angering Prime Minister Lumumba. As a result of his anger and the UN’s failure, Lumumba turns to Moscow for aid, who sends planes for Lumumba to fly troops into Katanga. (1) -
CIA Prioritizes (exact date unknown)
August 1960: CIA places the removal of Lumumba as their top priority and funds two senators who President Kasavubu would then select as a new prime minister, after dissolving the government. CIA also paid for anti-Lumumba propaganda and rallies. (1) -
Lumumba's Dismissal
September 4, 1960: President Kasavubu announces that he has dismissed Lumumba as prime minister (6) CIA was involved in this downfall of Lumumba a politician who looked to the communists(1) -
Seko's First Takeover
September 14, 1960: funded and advised by the CIA and United States government Mobutu Sese Seko, 'neutralizes' takes over duties of government in the name of the army(6) (1) -
An Assassination Plot (?)
September 18, 1960: Mobutu informed of assassination plot against him. Places blame on Lumumba (4) -
Lumumba's Arrest
December 2, 1960: Lumumba is arrested for conspiring to assassinate Mobutu (4) (7) -
CIA Doesn't Meddle
January 14, 1961: CIA learns of the transfer of Lumumba from UN protected custody to the custody of Mobutu’s troops who took Lumumba to a province which had sworn to kill him. The CIA does nothing to prevent this (1) -
Lumumba is Killed
January 17, 1961: Lumumba is murdered (4) (7) (1) either by katangan police or belgian mercenaries (6) Despite the CIA having conspired to assassinate Lumumba the had no hand in his eventual death. (1) -
Kasavubu's Return (exact date unknown)
Feb 1961:Mobutu returns the government to Kasavubu, and is appointed commander of the army.(6) -
UN's Involvement Changes (only rough year given)
1962: US backed UN turns from peacekeeping role to active intervention against Katanga (6) in an attempt to bring the seceded region back to the government. -
Katanga's Downfall (only rough year given)
1963: Katangan army gives up the fight against UN, Tshombe, the current prime minister, fled as a result (6) -
Tshombe's Return (only rough year given)
1964: President Kasavubu invites Tshombe to return from exile. (6) -
Increased US Military Assistance
August 14, 1964 :military assistance increased dramatically in response to the fall of Stanleyville (Kisangani) to rebel forces(4) -
Mobutu Takes Over (Again)
November 25, 1965: Mobutu removed both the President and Prime Minister, and took control of the government.(4) (5) (6) -
Sources
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Accredidation
Work on this project was completed by no other than Noah Christner and Charles Gingold, themselves. -
Conclusions