Foreign involvement First Congo War

1 foreign involvement

1.1 rwanda
1.2 uganda
1.3 angola
1.4 unita
1.5 others

foreign involvement

map of zaire in c.1996


rwanda

according expert observers, kagame himself, rwanda played largest role of foreign actor, if not largest role of all, in first congo war. kigali instrumental in formation of afdl , sent own troops fight alongside rebels. while actions sparked security threat posed zairian-based génocidaires, kigali pursuing multiple goals during invasion of zaire.

the first , foremost of these suppression of génocidaires had been launching attacks against new rwandan state zaire. kagame claimed rwandan agents had discovered plans invade rwanda support mobutu; in response, kigali began intervention intention of dismantling refugee camps in génocidaires took refuge , destroying structure of these anti-rwandan elements.

a second goal cited kagame, , universally regarded accurate, overthrow of mobutu. while partially means minimizing threat in eastern zaire, chance new rwandan state set puppet-regime in kinshasa. goal not particularly threatening other states in region because ostensibly means securing rwandan security , because many of them opposed mobutu. internationally, kigali aided tacit support of united states, supported kagame member of new generation of african leaders.

however, true intentions of rwanda not entirely clear. authors have proposed dismantling of refugee camps means of replenishing rwanda s depleted population , workforce following genocide, because destruction of camps followed forced repatriation of tutsi regardless of whether rwandan or zairian. intervention may have been motivated revenge; rwandan forces, afdl, massacred retreating hutu refugees in several known instances. commonly cited factor rwandan actions rpf, had come power in kigali, had come see protector of tutsi nation , therefore partially acting in defense of zairian brethren.

there distinct possibility rwanda harbored ambitions annex portions of eastern zaire. pasteur bizimungu himself, president of rwanda 1994–2000, presented ambassador rwanda, robert gribbin, idea of greater rwanda. idea purports ancient state of rwanda included parts of eastern zaire should belong rwanda. however, appears rwanda never attempted annex these territories. history of conflict in congo associated illegal resource exploitation but, although rwanda did benefit financially plundering zaire s wealth, not considered initial motivation rwandan intervention in first congo war.

uganda

as close ally of rpf, uganda played major role in first congo war. prominent members of rpf had fought alongside museveni in ugandan bush war had brought him power, , museveni had allowed rpf use uganda base during 1990 offensive rwanda , subsequent civil war. given historical ties, rwandan , ugandan governments closely allied , museveni worked closely kagame throughout first congo war. ugandan soldiers present in zaire throughout conflict , museveni helped kagame plan , direct afdl.

lt. col. james kabarebe of afdl, example, former member of uganda s national resistance army, military wing of rebel movement brought museveni power, , french , belgian intelligence reported 15,000 ugandan-trained tutsi fought afdl. however, uganda did not support rwanda in aspects of war. museveni reportedly less inclined overthrow mobutu, preferring keep rebellion in east former génocidaires operating.

angola

angola remained on sidelines until 1997 entrance fray increased superior strength of anti-mobutu forces. angolan government chose act through katangese gendarmes called tigres, proxy groups formed descendents of police units had been exiled zaire , fighting return homeland. luanda did deploy regular troops. angola chose participate in first congo war because members of mobutu s government directly involved in supplying angolan rebel group unita.

it unclear how government benefited relationship, other personal enrichment several officials, possible mobutu unable control actions of members of government. regardless of reasoning in kinshasa, angola entered war on side of rebels , determined overthrow mobutu government, way address threat posed zairian-unita relationship.

unita

due ties mobutu government, unita participated in first congo war. greatest impact had on war gave angola reason join anti-mobutu coalition. however, unita forces fought alongside faz forces in @ least several instances. among other examples, kagame claimed forces fought pitched battle against unita near kinshasa towards end of war.

others

numerous other external actors played lesser roles in first congo war. burundi, had come under rule of pro-tutsi leader, supportive of rwandan , ugandan involvement in zaire provided limited military support. zambia , zimbabwe gave measured amounts of military support rebel movement. likewise, eritrea, ethiopia, , south sudanese rebel army spla financial or moral supporters of anti-mobutu coalition. other unita, mobutu received aid sudan, whom mobutu had long supported against spla, though exact amount of aid unclear , unable hinder advance of opposing forces. zaire employed foreign mercenaries several african , european countries.