Modern African Wars (4): The Congo 1960–2002In the 1970s, during the ruinous 30-year dictatorship of General Mobutu, periodic rebellions required the hasty insertion once again of Belgian and French paratroops to save European lives. From the mid-1990s the country split again, becoming the battleground for the largest African war in history, as armies and rebel groups from Rwanda, Angola, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Namibia and other countries crossed into the Congo to support one side or the other, or simply to loot the rich resources. Major operations ended – or paused – in 2002, but the old hatreds and constant lure of the Congo's natural resources continue to boil over into periodic outbreaks. Featuring specially commissioned full-colour artwork and rare photographs, this is the harrowing story of the wars that ravaged the Congo for four decades. |
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1er Bn 6e Cdo advance AFDL African Angolan Armée armoured cars arms army arrived artillery attack attempt August badge Banyamulenge battalions became Belgian beret blue brigade British Bukavu camouflage Central collection Commando Congo Congolese contingent crossed December detail dress early east eastern elements elite equipment exiles fatigues field fighting followed force formed former French Gendarmerie green Grpmt guns helped Hutu included independence infantry intervention involved January July Kabila Kasai Katanga khaki Kinshasa Kivu Kolwezi later launched mercenaries military Mobutu mutiny Note November officers Operation Orientale paratroopers pattern province rank rebels recruited regions remained revolt rifles Rwandan sent September Shaba shoulder shoulder-strap slides side South Stanleyville subsequently taken trained troops Tutsi Ugandan uniform units weapons wear wore Zaïre Zimbabweans