-
The Democratic Republic of the Congo gains its independence from Belgium and Joseph Kasavubu becomes the first president (Addario).
-
As Kasavubu wrestles over power, Joseph Mobutu overthrows the government (Addario). Kasavubu would eventually be restored as president (Robertson).
-
Mobutu regains power in a second military coup and replaces Kasavubu as head of state (Addario).
-
Joseph Mobutu changes the name of the country to Zaire, showing how powerful he is (Robertson).
-
Mobutu banishes all foreign investors from the country (Addario).
-
Zaire fails to pay back loans to Belgium, resulting in the cancellation of development programs and deterioration of the economy (Addario).
-
Mobutu ends the ban on multiparty politics and allows more than 200 political parties to be established (Robertson).
-
Rival pro and anti Mobutu parties are established (Addario).
-
The Tutsi Rebels capture most of eastern Zaire while Mobutu is away receiving medical treatment (Addario).
-
The Tutsi Rebels capture Kinshasa (the capital of Zaire) and rename the country the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Robertson). Laurent-Desire Kabila is installed as president.
-
The Congolese Liberation Movement supported by Uganda begin to fight with the Rally for Congolese Democracy rebels backed by Ruwanda (Robertson). This is known as the 2nd Congo War (Robertson).
-
The six African countries involved in the 1st war sign a peace treaty at Lusaka (Addario).
-
Kabila is shot dead and his son, Joseph Kabila, becomes the next president (Robertson).
-
The 2nd Congo War comes to an end in December of 2002
-
Joseph Kabila wins the 1st ever elections, causing a lot of debate about whether the elections were fair among the people (Robertson).
