8. The Congo Crisis (1960-1965)
Following its 1960 independence from Belgium, the Congo faced internal strife exacerbated by Cold War rivalries. The secession of the mineral-rich Katanga province and the assassination of Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba in 1961 intensified the turmoil. Lumumba’s death, executed by a firing squad under Belgian supervision, remains a contentious chapter in Congo’s history. The crisis led to widespread violence, displacement, and political instability, effects of which continue to affect the nation today (britannica.com).
