Katanga

Katanga, officially known as the State of Katanga (French: Etat de Katanga) is a French-speaking country in Central Africa. It borders Congo-Kinshasa to the north, Zambia to the south, Lake Tanganyika to the east, and Angola to the west. As of 2010, Katanga has a population of 5,608,683 permanent inhabitants. The capital of Katanga is Lubumbashi, which was previously named Elisabethville. Other major cities in Katanga include Jadotville, and Albertville.

History

Belgian and Congolese Periods (1885-1962)

In 1885, the modern day country of Katanga was named a part of the Congo Free State, which was a kingdom that was owned by King Leopold II of Belgium. After King Leopold died in 1908, his kingdom became part of the Belgian state.

On June 30, 1960, the Belgian Congo declared independence from Belgium. The Congo’s first president was Joseph Kasavubu while its prime minister was Patrice Lumumba. Due to disagreements between Kasavubu and Lumumba on what provincial structure Congo should have, the country immediately collapsed into chaos. Eventually, on July 11, 1960, the province of Katanga unilaterally seceded from Congo, with Moise Tshombe as its first president. President Kasavubu, along with the United Nations, did not approve of the secession of Katanga. Thus, the Katanga War of Independence began.

In 1962, after several years of fighting, Katanga finally was given independence after winning the war. The country was reluctantly allowed to join the United Nations in 1963.

Also during the war, the Congo’s prime minster, Patrice Lumumba, was deposed by General Joseph Mobutu. After his deposition, Lumumba was flown to the city of Elisabethville, which is the capital of Katanga, where he was beaten up, forced to eat his own speeches, and shot.

Early Independence (1962-1976)

In the years following the war, President Tshombe began to consolidate political power. As such, in the country’s first election, held in 1964, Tshombe was elected unopposed to a six year term that would last until 1970. The following year, it was declared that the CONAKAT Party would be sole ruling political party in Katanga.

On June 29, 1969, President of Katanga Moise Tshombe died in his sleep while receiving medical treatment in Algeria. Vice President Jean-Baptiste Kibwe would serve as acting president until he was re-elected to a full term in 1970.

In 1973, there was a series of border clashes between the militaries of Katanga and Zaire (Zaire was formerly known as the Congo prior to 1971). After an intervention from UN peacekeepers, the clashes would cease by mid 1974.

Kabila Dynasty (1976-Present)

On December 10, 1976, President Jean-Baptiste Kibwe was deposed in a coup d’état supported by the Soviet Union. He was replaced by General Laurent Kabila, who was subsequently appointed president later that year. In order to legitimatize the newly-founded regime, new elections were held in 1980, in which, Kabila was elected to an eight-year term. In subsequent elections, Kabila would re-elected in 1988 and 1996.

During the Congo Wars (1997-2003), Katanga would send in mercenaries to support the rebellion against President Mobutu of Zaire.

On January 16, 2001, President Laurent Kabila of Katanga was assassinated during a state visit to the Congo. His 29-year-old son, Joseph Kabila, succeeded him to the presidency. As of 2026, Joseph Kabila is still the president of Katanga.

On July 11, 2020, the city of Elisabethville was officially renamed to Lubumbashi in order to make the country’s capital have a more African-sounding name. The name change also coincided with the 60 year anniversary of the county’s independence.

Presidents of Katanga (1960-Present)