Second Congo War (1998–2003)

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 the country and renamed it the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). After gaining control over the country, Kabila began to distance himself from Rwandan and Ugandan support, until he ordered their military forces to leave DRC in July 1998. These steps caused the uprising of Banyamulenge people—ethnically Tutsi, who live in east DRC. The Tutsis, a large ethnic group in Rwanda, at that time also dominated its government. The Banyamulenge established armed forces called the Rally for Congolese Democracy (RCD) and received military support from Rwanda and Uganda. Later, Uganda established a new organization in the north, Movement for the Liberation of Congo, and its relationship with Rwanda grew increasingly tense until it reached the point of military clashes from 1999 to 2000. Following the Banyamulenge uprising, DRC's President Kabila allied with Hutu militant groups in the east to suppress the rebellion. In less than a month, a coalition of RCD, Ugandan, and Rwandan forces took control over an important diamond center, a port, a hydroelectric station, and many towns, while moving toward the capital, Kinshasa. However, several African countries (Namibia, Angola, Zimbabwe, Chad, Libya, and Sudan) decided to join the military conflict on Kabila's side and saved his government.