Africa. This is the name of the continent that lies between the Indian Ocean and
The Atlantic. This continent is famous because it has abundant natural resources, wild region that is still widespread, and the mighty blacks. On the other hand, Africa is also known as one of the areas of conflict. This assumption was not entirely wrong because in fact, the African continent is still often filled with conflict and civil war to the present. Of the many conflicts there, one of the largest and most bloody Congo War that is going on in the heart of the African continent.
War of Congo (Congo War; Guerre du Congo) is a series of conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC, formerly Zaire). The war itself can be divided into two periods: the first period (1996-1997) and the second period (1998-2003). Total, there are about 8 African countries and dozens of militia groups involved in this war. Because so many parties involved in this war and the large amount of loss incurred, this war - more specifically, the war that occurred in the second period - often referred to as "The Great War of Africa" ??(African Great War) or "his World War of Africa" ??( African's World War).
BACKGROUND
1. Rwanda Civil War (1990 - 1993)
Speaking of the war in the Congo, we inevitably have looked a little
about the Rwandan civil war
Genocide in Rwanda
because of the war in the Congo is arguably the direct impact of the civil war in Rwanda. Rwanda's civil war is a war that happened in Rwanda between the Hutu ethnic majority by the Tutsi minority ethnic 1990-1993. The roots of the war began after a referendum held Belgium to liberate Rwanda, the majority of the people want change Rwandan political system during the colonial period was dominated by ethnic Tutsis. Rwanda eventually became independent in 1962 and the events of Rwanda's independence followed by a mass exodus of ethnic Tutsis from Rwanda to neighboring countries.
In 1990, an armed group called the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF; Rwanda Patriotic Front), which consists of a community of Tutsi refugees in Uganda to attack Rwanda and Rwandan Civil War erupted between militia groups RPF (Tutsi) against the Rwandan army and militia Interahamwe (Hutu) . During the civil war, took place also acts massacres committed by the Rwandan military and Hutu militia against the Tutsi community in Rwanda (known as the "Rwandan genocide"). Mobutu Sese Seko itself as the leader of Zaire (now the DRC) provides support to the government and ethnic Rwandan Hutu.
But in its development, RPF forces successfully urged the Rwandan government troops that the war finally ended in 1993 with the victory of the RPF forces.
After the victory of the RPF forces (Tutsi), millions of Hutus in Rwanda was still there in droves fled to eastern Zaire fearing Tutsi would commit genocide against their replies so eastern Zaire was subsequently become a major refugee complex. Among them, there are also a number of members of the Interahamwe militia (Hutu) who took refuge in the complex area of ??eastern Zaire as a base for attacks melacarkan reply to Rwanda. Felt that overthrew Mobutu regime is the only way to end the threats against the Rwandan Hutu militia, the Rwandan government was preparing his troops in case fighting broke out against the regime of Mobutu in Africa.
2. Civil war Angola
Shortly after Angola became independent from Portugal in 1975 hands, militant groups that previously united against Portugal (MPLA, FNLA, and UNITA) on development in conflict with one another to compete for power in Angola.
Conflict had subsided after the three agreed to form a transitional government after negotiations held in Portugal. The period of peace did not last long unfortunately after 2 months later, the conflict between them erupted into what is known as a "civil war Angola"
The conflict in Angola is unlikely to be prolonged if the major powers did not intervene. If the Soviet Union and Cuba supported the MPLA leadership role Angola, the U.S. and its allies in Africa such as Zaire and South Africa supported the FNLA and UNITA. Attitude of Zaire in Angola civil war, in turn, have an impact on the attitude of the Congo Angola when war broke out. The Angolan government is trying to seize the moment to Subvert the Mobutu regime in favor of the anti-communist militias in Angola, while the anti-communist UNITA militia could send bntuan
troops to Zaire to help pro-Mobutu forces.
3. Creation of the Alliance Rebels in Zaire
Zaire itself in the body, since the decade of the 90s wave of discontent emerged against the regime of Mobutu's Zaire following the collapse of economic activity due to rampant corruption in the government and the cessation of U.S. support for Mobutu regime after the fall of the Soviet Union (one of the main reasons the U.S. was supporting Mobutu regime stop the spread of communism in central Africa). Zaire weakened condition following the president Mobutu fragile condition due to his cancer illness.
Elsewhere, Laurent-Desire Kabila - adherents of the ideology of communism and followers Lubumba the first coup by Mobutu - who had been hiding in the Southeast corner of Zaire and led the rebel group
called Popular Revolutionary Party (PRP; Popular Revolutionary Party) came into contact with other rebel groups in various parts of Zaire and Tutsi militias. The groups were then merged into a new rebel group called Democratiques Alliance des Forces pour la Liberation du Congo-Zaire (AFDL-CZ; Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire) or commonly abbreviated AFDL. AFDL formation and weak internal conditions led to war in Zaire Zaire only a matter of time ...
CONGO WAR I (1996-1997)
Battle Commence
Dated October 4, 1996, the rebel group of ethnic Banyamulenge -
local ethnic still has close ties to the ethnic Tutsi - to attack the village Lamera, eastern Zaire. Zaire central government was surprised by the attack then stated that they would be deported out of the Banyamulenge ethnic Zaire region on a large scale. Furthermore, the Zaire government added that ethnic Banyamulenge who do not leave Zaire within 2 weeks will be executed on the spot. The government's decision turned out to be a blunder as more and worsen the situation and increase the tension of the uprising.
Early in October 1996, a joint group of anti-Mobutu rebels and army
Rwanda national territory to attack eastern Zaire through Burundi. Only in a relatively short time, important cities in the region such as Uvira and Bukavu managed to master. The combined forces then drove further and attacking other important cities, Goma, from the south and east as well.
Zairian troops stationed in the region eventually forced retreat in early November. Then Zaire government responded by sending troops equipped with heavy weapons into eastern Zaire region, but in fact their presence there has exacerbated that. The reason is because they are being sent to it can not distinguish between local residents with the rebels, they
often perform force invade and plunder in the homes of local residents.
Seeing conditions deteriorating eastern Zaire and can be life threatening Hutu refugees there, the UN plan to send the multinational force. Hearing the news, AFDL troops then perform complex blitz to Hutu refugees in Kimbumba with the aim of directing the refugees to return to Rwanda without injuring them and prevent foreign interference. Zaire army and Hutu militias who guard the refugee complex tried to fight tooth and nail, but they failed to prevent the refugees fled towards Rwanda and surrounding areas. The loss is complex because of the refugee exodus away fled in turn led to dissuade the United Nations to send a multinational force. On the other hand, many of the members of the Hutu militias who fled to the area
Western Zaire.
Loss of Zaire Region One by One
After the successful return of Hutu refugees to Rwanda territory,
anti-Mobutu forces and the Rwandan government is now focusing on their main goal: to overthrow the Mobutu regime. To achieve these goals, they formulate a plan to take control of the entire eastern
Zaire. There are indications that the master plan of the eastern Zaire background in eastern Zaire economy because it contains a lot of expensive precious minerals such as cobalt, gold, and zinc.
In the war seized eastern Zaire, countries such as Angola, Burundi, and Uganda began to involve themselves. Angola which has a communist-leaning governments want to topple the regime of Mobutu who support anti-communist rebel group in Burundi country adjacent to Rwanda does have a government dominated by ethnic Tutsis.
And Uganda? They did it as a sort of form in which the reciprocation when the civil war in Uganda in the 1980s, many of the members of the Tutsi overseas in Uganda that helped US-led forces toppled the regime of Yoweri Museveni to power in Uganda at the time. As a consequence, Zaire also now have to fight against 4 countries
at once: Angola, Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda.
Back to the battlefield. During the fighting in the eastern Zaire, Zaire troops proved bertaji because low self-discipline and their expertise in the fight. For example, is so easy to lose the Zaire army heavy weapons such as artillery and tanks since the beginning of the battle. They are also easy to panic and often directly backwards without significant resistance when the opposing forces approached. Moreover, when moving backward Zaire troops often carry out acts of appropriation to the local population in Zaire route they passed. As a result it is clear, local residents Zaire sympathy for the loss of their own country's soldiers. Aware that national army could not be relied upon, the government was forced to use Zaire Hutu militias from Rwanda, Angola anti-communist militias, and mercenaries to help put a halt to joint anti-Mobutu forces.
Endless patience of local residents against acts Zaire army finally culminated in an important battle in the city of Kisangani in March 1997. At that time, local residents of the rebel groups to guide the strategic locations around the bag belongs to the defense forces and Hutu militias Zaire. Anti-Mobutu forces combined is then encircle pockets of defense mtersebut 3 directions at once. In just 2 days, the city of Kisangani finally brought under control by anti-Mobutu forces. Zaire army itself had to send fighters to demolish the anti-Mobutu forces. But after fighting in Kisangani, Zaire aircraft owned used never to be seen again.
Towards Kinshasa
The fall of Kisangani to the hands of the anti-Mobutu Mobutu as well as undermining the reputation of the fighting in Kisangani shows how public opinion against the regime of Mobutu's Zaire. Slowly but surely, the combined anti-Mobutu forces began moving toward the capital of Zaire, Kinshasa, and took the towns on the route which they passed. However, the movement of the joint forces of the anti-Mobutu was restrained when they get fierce opposition from the combined forces of Zaire and Angola anti-communist militia in the town of Kenge which is only 120 miles from Kinshasa. During this war, anti-Mobutu forces was forced to retreat back into eastern Zaire before finally hitting back pro-Mobutu forces. The death toll arising from the fighting in Kengen reach 300 people fighting over & make the event as one of the bloodiest battles during the First Congo War.
Anti-Mobutu forces finally arrived at the edge of Kinshasa. Peace talks could be done to prevent the conflict erupted, but failed after representatives sent by the anti-Mobutu Mobutu was shot by a supporter. Anti-Mobutu forces finally overwhelm the city of Kinshasa, but no bloodshed arises because Zairian troops had previously instructed to cooperate with anti-Mobutu forces if the situation is not favorable. First Congo War was officially ended in May 1997 with the victory of the anti-Mobutu forces. Mobutu himself managed to escape just before the combined forces that opposed occupying the city of Kinshasa. He never back again to Zaire and eventually died on 7 September 1997 in the city of Rabat, Morocco.
WAR SUMMARY PHASE I
1. Time & Location Battle
- Time: 1996 - 1997
- Location: Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo)
2. Party Fight
(Group) - UNITA, Rwandan Hutu militia
(State) - Zaire
/ Vs /
(Group) - AFDL
(State) - Angola, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda
3. Final Results
- Victory AFDL and its allies
- Laurent-Desire Kabila became the new president of Zaire
- The name "Zaire" was changed to "Democratic Republic of Congo"
4. Death Toll
Not known.
* PEACE TEMPORARY PERIOD (1997-1998) *
Not long after the fall of the regime of Mobutu, Laurent-Desire Kabila - AFDL leader of the group, the main rebel groups that overthrew Mobutu regime - rose to president of Zaire. Various changes did he do, one of which is to change the name Zaire became the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). On the other hand, Rwanda and Uganda who helped topple the regime of Mobutu AFDL troops still kept troops in the DRC.
As time went on, relations between Kabila, Rwanda and Uganda started with stretch, after Kabila see that Rwanda and Uganda to exploit minerals in the eastern DRC for their own interests. RDK himself from the camp, the people of the DRC saw Kabila is no more a foreign puppet because he became the leader of the DRC with the help of foreign countries in toppling Mobutu. Kabila then also perform a number of bold steps such as changing the number of staff beliefs originating from Rwanda with staff from ethnic Congo and told a staff of Rwanda is to return to their home country.
Steps taken Kabila did not stop there. Furthermore, he ordered troops to Rwanda and Uganda to immediately withdraw from the country. Kabila command is surprising that Rwanda and Uganda saw Kabila began boldly opposite them. Then, shortly
then the Rwanda and Uganda started trying to undermine Kabila regime by way of fanning ethnic Banyamulenge - ethnic groups in eastern DRC which is distantly related to ethnic Tutsi - to rebel. Incidentally ethnic Banyamulenge long time indeed has a poor relationship with the central government and its RDK other ethnic groups in eastern DRC.
"Democratic Republic of Congo in a nutshell it can be called as the Congo, but in this article I will use the name of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as in the central African region, there are two countries that use the name of Congo: Republic of Congo that is capitalized in
Brazzavile & the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which had its capital in Kinshasa. "
CONGO WAR II (1998-2003)
* The emergence of Rebellion *
Dated August 2, 1998, Banyamulenge community formed an anti-Kabila rebel group called the Rassemblement Congolais pour la democratie (RCD; Pekumpulan for Congolese Democracy) and a rebellion in the city of Goma, eastern DRC. In the uprising, the government of Rwanda and Uganda also sent troops to help the RCD forces. New combined forces of the anti-Kabila is in relatively short time managed to seize key cities in DRC
east as Bukavu and Uvira.
Kabila, who was surprised by the uprising and formed a new militia called the Mai-Mai and ask for help ethnic Hutu militias who are still living in the DRC to help. Furthermore, through a radio station in Bunia, eastern DRC, Kabila told residents
local arm themselves with all the sharp objects that they have to kill the Rwandan Tutsis. Paul Kagame as the Rwandan leader then responded by stating that the Kabila planning a genocide against ethnic Tutsi while stating that the region
eastern DRC has historically been a part of the Rwandan territory.
Wars groove back groove mimics the First Congo War. The joint forces of anti-government RDK moving slowly but surely toward Kinshasa, DRC troops while trying to stop the movement of their hard-earned. But the difference, if in the First Congo War
Local residents helped anti-government forces, this time they work together to put a halt to anti-government forces. In approximately the same period, Uganda also formed a new militia group called the Mouvement pour la Liberation du Congo (MLC; Liberation Movement
Congo).
* The start of "African World War Version" *
War situation made increasingly worse DRC Kabila went out to ask for help foreign countries. Diplomacy, which resulted in 4 African countries agreed to send troops to help the DRC: Angola, Chad, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. In addition to the four countries, Libya also helped provide aircraft to transport troops from other African countries to the DRC. Sudan also expressed support to the DRC, but the support they provide in the form of aid to anti-government militia groups in Uganda. Outside Africa, countries like the U.S. and Japan also provide support to Kabila to defend his government, but are reluctant to send troops to help there.
Arrival of a multinational force to the DRC Africa began a new chapter beginning "African world war version". Combined forces of the DRC, Angola, Chad, Namibia, and Zimbabwe fought against the combined forces of Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi. Chronology of the war began to change in which the anti-Kabila forces that originally could move slowly but surely towards Kinshasa forced to retreat back to the eastern DRC. Although successfully preventing the anti-Kabila forces take control of Kinshasa, the combined forces of its own pro-Kabila failed to get rid of the anti-Kabila forces who control eastern DRC.
Inclusion of other African nations to war RDK is closely related to the interests of each country in the DRC. Namibia and Zimbabwe have more or less similar motivations: securing land rich in minerals and precious metals in the DRC. Chadian troops deployed on
pressure France - the former colonial Chad - because the DRC is one of the largest French-speaking country in the world, but Chad was also the first country to withdraw from the battlefield because of the actions and crimes against humanity committed by his army appropriation sparking international condemnation.
Angola alone since I have an interest in the Congo War to suppress anti-government militia UNITA since the beginning of the civil war that put DRC territory as his headquarters. Time
DRC is still a leader Mobutu aka Zaire, Mobutu was deliberately given permission for UNITA to use his country as a base area for Mobutu did not like the ruling communist regime in Angola.Pasca fall of the Mobutu regime, Angola was not sure of the capacity of the new DRC government to cease the activity that UNITA Angola sent troops back to the DRC to help the local government. During the Second Congo War, Angolan troops have combat experience as a result of decades of civil war in the country proved to be the allied forces of the most powerful & RDK most dominant in determining the flow of battle.
* Battle * Flow deadlock
During the war, the two sides also used the children as members of the militia. Back to the battlefield, the war situation at a stalemate finally make the parties involved in the war agreed to negotiate. Through negotiations held in Lusaka, Zambia, in June 1999, the six countries involved in the conflict (DRC, Angola,
Namibia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Uganda) have agreed to end the armed conflict. However, small-scale war still continues between pro-Kabila against the militia of anti-Kabila in which each militias backed by the countries involved in the war. On the other hand, Kabila was also criticized by the international community for his actions in limiting UN paratroops and inhibit the process of talks to form a transitional government in the DRC.
In August 1999, a conflict in Kisangani between Rwandan troops with Ugandan forces that had been allied. The conflict allegedly motivated by mineral-rich turf & precious metals in eastern DRC. Conflict between the two ends after both
agreed to make peace through negotiations facilitated by the UN and they both withdraw its forces from Kisangani in mid-2000. Although in the end peace, conflict arose between the two indicates the body cracks in the anti-Kabila coalition
so they do not have enough strength to win the battle.
In general, conflicts that occurred during the Second Congo War battles rare form of large and more dominated guerrilla battles because each country do not want to sacrifice valuable personnel and armaments to fall in the DRC.
Instead, they support the militia groups to fight against an opponent backed militia groups. Military forces of each country own more passively placed at critical points such as large cities, airports, or areas
mining. That's what's most likely to be the cause why there are no significant changes on the battlefield.
Second Congo War also became an arena for the actions of humanitarian crimes against the local ethnic Pygmies. Cause why ethnicity has become the focus of attention because during the war, the troops of both parties deliberately to attack their settlements, sexually abusing women, and even eat meat because they believe the Pygmy flesh can give magical powers. Although both sides are equally known to carry out such horrific activities, carried out by the majority of anti-Kabila forces in eastern DRC.
* The killing Kabila & Development * Peace Talks
Dated January 16, 2001, shooting incident against Kabila, who eventually took his life after he was treated for 2 days. Various allegations and accusations and come to the surface as to who masterminded the murder of Kabila. Position vacant Laurent-Desire Kabila
later succeeded by his son, Joseph Kabila. In contrast to his father, Joseph Kabila and software tend to be more cooperative than his father so that negotiations had been deadlocked started to find a bright spot. In this year, a team of UN inspectors
also reported the presence of illegal mineral exploitation activities by Rwanda
In 2002, the anti-Kabila stronghold condition has weakened after a large number of Rwandan soldiers have deserted or defected to the pro-Kabila. Militias of ethnic Banyamulenge militias that have been the most anti-Kabila dominant also began stopping activity
tired of going to war because the conflict is not clear when it will end. On the other hand, under the conditions of the DRC Joseph Kabila is also growing steadily following its success stabilize western DRC territory and the existence of an international peacekeeping force there
since 2001. After going through peace talks tough and long, Joseph Kabila finally agreed to share power with rebel groups in the government (power-shared government) at the end of 2002 through what is known as the Pretoria Agreement (Pretoria Accord). The results of the negotiations were then carried out in June 2003
through the establishment of a transitional government in the DRC where the government is responsible for all the affairs of the DRC national elections to be held to get a new leader RDK. The formation of the transitional government followed by withdrawal
all forces African countries are engaged in war, except Rwanda.
Since then, could be said to be the Second Congo War has officially ended.
* CONDITIONS OF POST-WAR *
Election to determine the new leader democratically RDK finally held in June 2006 in which Joseph Kabila came out as the winner, but the riots arose soon after the emergence of the issue that Kabila cheating. New elections were again held in October 2006 in which Kabila back out as the winner, but this time with greater voting outcomes. Although the election results are still reaping the dissatisfaction of the opposition, Joseph Kabila was officially appointed as the president of the DRC as of the end of 2006. Appointment Kabila as president of DRC transitional government was put an end to the activity that forms since 2003.
Although the Second Congo War was officially ended in 2003, the conflict in the DRC has not really ended until now. RDK still fragile new government and their dependence on the presence of foreign troops is a major cause why the local conflict is still not
completed until now.
Examples of major conflict is still going on in DRC
until now is the conflict in the eastern DRC between ethnic Hutu militia against militias
pro ethnic Tutsis. Later, the conflict in eastern DRC also entered a new phase after the rebel group Lord's Resistance Army (LRA; Lord's Resistance Army) who came from Uganda set up a new headquarters in the eastern parts of DRC and attacking locals.
Second Congo War also brought serious implications for local environmental damage, especially to the lives of animals in the African ekstotis DRC. The reason is not because during conflict, the soldiers involved in the war deliberately hunt animals in the region, whether for meat or for sale again. It is also exacerbated by deforestation activity and habitat destruction are still common. It is feared that no action anticipation of local government, important fauna such as gorillas and elephants of Africa there will be extinct in a short time.
The negative impact of the Second Congo War which most feel is the emergence of fatalities where during the war period, the death toll reached more than 3 million and 2 million others displaced are still living out the RDK. The death toll is also not up there because of the destruction of vital facilities of the war left an estimated 45,000 people die each month RDK until now due to disease or starvation. Because of the large number of casualties and the long-term negative impacts posed, the Second Congo War is often cited as
greatest human tragedy since World War II.
Other major issues that still haunt the residents of the Congo to the present - especially women -
rampant sexual crimes. Militias are still active in the DRC often perform acts of rape against civilians with various purposes, one of which is to spread sexually transmitted diseases deliberately to his victims. Consequently really sad because a lot of women rape victims who are traumatized and even ostracized by the locals.
* WAR SUMMARY PHASE II *
* 1. Time & Location Battle *
- Time: 1998 - 2003
- Location: Democratic Republic of Congo
* 2. Fought parties *
(Group) - Mai-Mai, Hutu militias
(State) - Angola, Chad, Namibia, DR Congo, Zimbabwe
/ Fight /
(Group) - MLC, RCD, Tutsi militias
(State) - Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda
* 3. Final Result *
- The war ended without a winner
- Formation of a transitional government while in DR Congo
- Small-scale conflict continues in eastern DR Congo
* 4. Fatalities *
Approximately 5,400,000.
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