When was kabila killed

Kabila senior is the father of former president Joseph Kabila who took power after the January 16, assassination. In Lubumbashi in Katanga province, large crowds of supporters from former president Joseph Kabila's party turned up to pay homage to his father, popularly known as Mzee Wise sage in Swahili. He came to power in after ousting long-serving dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. Joseph Kabila has been holed up in his stronghold Lubumbashi since December, when President Felix Tshisekedi unilaterally ended a shaky coalition that was propped up by Kabila loyalists.

In the capital, Kinshasa, Archbishop Fridolin Ambongo led a ceremony that came just days after the release of those convicted for organising Kabila's killing. They received a presidential pardon from Tshisekedi earlier this month. The archbishop called for Kabila's "soul to rest in peace, and peace for his family, for the entire Congolese nation, which he loved and served right up to his death.

The danger was that Zimbabwe might side with the Luba-Katanga faction, splitting the pro-Kinshasa coalition. In the first week of March, there were reports of shooting between Namibian and Angolan troops, the latter siding with Lunda deserters. Namibia is a minor player; a split between Angola and Zimbabwe could endanger the unfolding peace process. Then Uganda withdrew some troops from Congo, and Rwanda pulled its troops back from Pweto in eastern Katanga , to Pepa, miles to the north.

Unable to build a Congolese army, Laurent Kabila had depended upon the support of his allies Angola and Zimbabwe to hold the front and coordinate logistics, and on the Hutu to launch offensives. If the peace process is to advance, the timetable of withdrawals will have to be worked out and executed with care. This is mainly the responsibility of the United Nations and the parties to the conflict.

The slain Kabila left a poisonous legacy to his country and to his son, and in other respects as well. Joseph Kabila will need to establish a dialogue with the armed and unarmed opposition, and attempt to revive the Congolese economy.

It will be interesting to see whether President George W. Bush shows any inclination to intervene on the side of AMFI. Joseph Kabila will need to be skillful if he is to extract his country from its present semi-colonial status.

It is too early to say how important the transition from Clinton to Bush will prove for U. Candidate Bush had said Africa was not a priority.

Since he entered office, Africa seems to be forcing its way upward on his agenda. The change of administrations can have some positive aspects, even from the point of view of progressives. This edition is part of a larger research project of the Chimurenga Library. For more information or to order your print or digital copy visit www. Menu Menu Close. Sustainable Development. Resource Politics. International Politics. Main navigation. Service Links Menu.