Katanga insurgency

The Katanga insurgency is an ongoing rebellion by a number of rebel groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, some of which aim for the creation of a separate state within Katanga. While the insurgency has been active in various forms since 1963, insurgent groups have recently redoubled their efforts after the 2011 jail break that freed Gédéon Kyungu Mutanga, who commanded the majority of the Katangese separatist groups until his surrender to Congolese authorities in October 2016.

Katanga Insurgency

Mai Mai militants surrendering in northern Katanga.
Date1963 – present
(61 years)
Location
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Result Ongoing
Belligerents
Congo-Léopoldville (until 1971)
 Zaire (1971–1997)
 DR Congo (from 1997)
ONUC (until 1964)
MONUSCO (since 1999)
Local self-defence groups

Katangese rebels:

Alleged Support:
FARDC elements
Katangese businessmen

FDLR
Mai Mai Yakutumba
CNPSC
Commanders and leaders
Mobutu Sese Seko (until 1997)
Joseph Kabila
Félix Tshisekedi
Jean Claude Kifwa
Pacifique Masunzu
Rombault Nsiona
Martin Kobler

Moïse Tshombe (POW) (until 1967)
Nathaniel Mbumba (until 1990s)
Gédéon Kyungu
Yesu Mulongo †
Fidel Ntumbi (POW)

Sylvestre Mudacumura
Callixte Mbarushimana
Ignace Murwanashyaka
Strength

150,000 FARDC
670 MONUSCO (2014)

  • 450 troops
  • 100 special forces
 6,000–7,000 (FLNC, 1977)
1,000–3,000 (2000s)
Casualties and losses
Unknown Thousands killed

Since 2000, FDLR insurgents have been engaged in a low level military conflict with the FARDC and various Katangese separatist groups; the FDLR are mostly active in the north-eastern portion of Katanga province near the border with South Kivu. The conflict in the region has caused an exodus of around 600,000 refugees to various other parts of the DRC, and an unknown number of civilians have died as a result of the conflict.

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