Also called Africa's World War, the Second Congo War broke out in 1998 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly Zaire (DRC), and officially ended in 2003. However, hostilities continued in the eastern region. The war was the largest in the modern history of Africa, and took the lives of almost four million people. Nine African nations and more than 20 armed groups were directly involved in the conflict. It created one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world, leaving a heavy toll of death, famine, and disease.

In May 1997, Zaire's government was overthrown, and its leader, Mobutu Sese Seko, left the country. The armed rebels were led by Laurent-Désiré Kabila and supported by Rwanda, Uganda, and Angola. Kabila proclaimed himself as president of ...