In this episode we see the final throes of the Independent Katanga and Kasai regions.  But Katanga in particular does not go down without a very real fight.  It holds the line against the United Nations no less, which increasingly adopts a more aggresive position to enforce a united Repulic of the Congo.  But after years of conflict and unrest people's dissapointment independence presnts opportunities for new position.  Former enemies must become friends in the face of more threatening opponents.  After years of fighting an exhausted international community leaves the ..read more

In this episode we see the continuation of the independent Republic of the Congo.   The UN, the USSR, the US, Belgium and other continue their operations to push the new country in the direction most aligned to their own ambitions.  Amidst this the Congolese populations and regions estalblish themselves as rival power bases in the country.    These conflicts have casualaties amongst the political class as well as the combatants.    ..read more

In this episode we look at the new Republic of the Congo 10 days after independence.  We see the Congolese reaction to the years of repression under colonial rule and Belgium's military response.  Faced with these troubles President Kasavuba and Prime Minister Lumumba turn to the UN, the US and the USSR for urgent help - unwittingly inviting the Cold War to their lands.  In the midst of this the provinces of Katanga and South Kasai start to see a future outside of the new Republic...  ..read more

Indpendence Day has arrived!  WIth the Congolese now free from colonial rule tere are celebrations everywhere.  With KasaVubu as President and Lumumba as Prime Minister the new government gets to work and for the first time the peoples elected officials start to run the country.  But as the celebrations recede not everyone feels included.  The campaigns of the elections set the expectations extremely high.  Soon people start to take their frustrations out on the previous establishment as the new world isn't quite as was expected.   Whilst this is happening ot ..read more

In this Episode we turn to The Congo in the late 1950s.   The world is changing and on the African continent independence is coming to many countries as the age of colonialism comes to an end.  In this context old identities are rediscovered as pre-colonial empires come to the fore once again.  People coalesce around parties in anticipation of local elections that have come to mean so much more.  As old friends are discovered so are old enemies and Belgium considers its options as The World, and The Belgian Congo changes around it.       ..read more

In part 2 of Independence Immediate we see the Congolese parties final campaigns in the elections which would decide who would be in power once the Belgians had left.   There was a mix of great expectations, excitement, local and national interests.   It was unknown who would win the elections at the time, but here we detail the run up and the final results, with all the gamesmanship not just of the parties, but also the departing Belgians who were keen to protect their economic interests.   ..read more

In this episode we how the rulers if the Belgian Congo adapted to the German conquest of Belgian in World War II.  Set against conflicting loyalties of the Belgian King, Parliament and Industry the Belgian Congo emerged as powerful part of the Allied cause.  The Congolese achieved the first allied victory in the War, and its resources were fundamental to the last battle.   The pivotal role of The Congolese in World War II is not afforded much airtime, but this diminish their huge impact ..read more

The 1950s afforded the majority of the Congolese modest increases in living standards.  Wealth and opportunities were increasing, and the colonial attitude was starting to shift.  But social progress was slow.  When news came from Belgium that not everyone considered colonialism permanent, Congolese society prepared to fill the power vacuum that would be left if the Belgians left ..read more

After World War 1 the Belgian Congo's place in the world was settled internationally.   The authorities, with private backers, invested in the wealth opportunities presented by copper, diamond and other minerals to increase revenues.  Infrastructure projects were completed to connect these mining areas to the Atlantic, and some Congolese were able to seize opportunities within the system.  But for the majority this was not the case, and rising tensions were palpable ..read more

International pressure forced the Belgian government to succeed King Leopold II, and The Belgian Congo was born.  The Belgian people were not unanimously behind colonialism, although the colony was supported by the socialist government on the grounds of developmental support.  But the companies who were developing were also exploiting, although now under international scrutiny their actions The peoples of the Congo entered the 20th Century in the midst of these tensions.    ..read more