Free article preview  

The secessionist movement that almost split the country 50 years ago is again on the march

In the main square of Lubumbashi on 11 July, more than 20 people were arrested while demonstrating for the independence of Katanga. A month earlier, the Place de la Poste had been renamed the Place Moïse Tshombé, in memory of the President of the shortlived secessionist Katanga state, which was suppressed by a United Nations force immediately after Congo was granted its own independence by Belgium in 1960. Tshombé, who held Katanga in 1960-63, died in Algeria in 1969. May’s banned demonstration commemorated the 50th anniversary of his declaration of independence....

(This article contains approximately 690 words)

end of free article preview

Current subscribers: log in now to read the complete article. Misplaced your password? Then click here for a password reminder.

Not a subscriber? Then you can read this article in full either by becoming a subscriber now, for 3, 6 or 12 months, or you can buy this individual article.

  • Subscribe to Africa Confidential:
  • Buy this article:
  • 3-month subscription
    Prices from £205.00 (+ VAT where applicable)
    6-month subscription
    Prices from £376.00 (+ VAT where applicable)
    12-month subscription
    Prices from £705.00 (+ VAT where applicable)
  • UK & European Union
    £17.00 (+ VAT where applicable)
    Rest of the world
    $27.00

  • If you have a print subscription already, click here for a password that gives you full access to the website.
  • If you are logged in, but still cannot access the full text of this article, email customer services or telephone us on +44(0)1638 743633.

Keywords:

Moïse Tshombé, Belgium, Algeria, Thierry Michel, Mbenga Sandonga, Mobutu Sese Seko, Zambia Jean- Marie Dikanga Kazadi, Elie Kapend Kanyimbu, Joseph Kabila, Chinese, Moïse Katumbi Chapwe, French, Laurent-Désiré Kabila, Jean Omasombo, Front de libération national congolais, diabos, Mission des Nations Unies en République Démocratique du Congo, Le Point