Free Republic of the Congo
| Free Republic of the Congo | ||||||||||
| Partly recognized state | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||
 Free Republic of the Congo in red
|
||||||||||
| Capital | Stanleyville | |||||||||
| Political structure | Parliamentary republic | |||||||||
| President | ||||||||||
| • | 1960–1962 | Antoine Gizenga | ||||||||
| History | ||||||||||
| • | Independence declared | 12 December 1960 | ||||||||
| • | Disestablished | 13 January 1962 | ||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Today part of |
 DR Congo
|
|||||||||
.svg)
The Free Republic of the Congo (French: République Libre du Congo), often known as Congo-Stanleyville, was a short-lived rival government to the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Léopoldville) based in the eastern Congo and led by Antoine Gizenga. Following Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba's deposition in September 1960 in the midst of the Congo Crisis, many of his supporters became disillusioned with the government in Léopoldville (modern-day Kinshasa). Under Lumumba's deputy, Antoine Gizenga, leftists organized in Stanleyville (modern-day Kisangani) and in December declared their own government to be the legal successor to the prime minister's administration. Gizenga quickly amassed military strength and by February 1961 had occupied vast portions of Congolese territory. In August negotiations between the two governments resulted in Gizenga agreeing to stand down and being returned to his post under the new prime minister, Cyrille Adoula. Still, Gizenga distanced himself from the central administration and rebuilt his own political and military power. The rival government wasn't fully reintegrated into the Republic of the Congo until Gizenga was arrested in January 1962.
On 30 June 1960 the Belgian Congo became independent as the Republic of the Congo. However, the domestic situation quickly devolved as the army mutinied, beginning the Congo Crisis. In spite of Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba's efforts, the situation worsened. Katanga and South Kasai subsequently seceded from the central government. The United Nations (UN) organized a peacekeeping operation and sent troops to the Congo. On 5 September, President Joseph Kasa-Vubu dismissed Lumumba from his post. The ensuing political battle paralyzed the government and on 13 September Colonel Joseph-Désiré Mobutu announced a takeover in Léopoldville (modern-day Kinshasa) and the installation of his own administration. Two days later Lumumba was placed under house arrest. By October, it was clear to the prime minister's supporters that little could be achieved through the new government.
...
Wikipedia