Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1407425
contracts with major mining companies. After 6 months passed since the end of the war, the former allies split. The ADF alliance no longer exists. Meanwhile, Paul Kagame, becoming one of the most influential African leaders, yet again concludes that Kinshasa needs another change of leadership. Two major argu- ments support his decision. First refers to the withdrawn Kinshasan support for Banyamulenge fighting Hutu in Congo (which provided a boost of confidence for Armée pour la Libération du Rwanda - Hutu rebels in Congo). This, in turn, cre- ated a risk of Hutu rebellion in Rwanda. Kabila also attempted to take over the Congo mines, managed by Rwanda and Uganda. The profits from mining (dia- monds, cobalt, gold, silver, coltan, and so on) are one of the main foundations for the budgets of those countries, financing the armies. Nonetheless, the takeover is simply a theft targeting Congo as the victim. 4,000 Rwandan soldiers were deployed to Kinshasa at the time, along with Banyamulenge troops - these for- ces have been a major support for the Kabila's government. James Kabarebe was the head of the Rwandan military personnel in Congo - he's one of the brightest, brilliant, and most con- troversial commanders in Africa. On July 14th, 1988 he was dismissed by Kabila. On July 27th all Rwanda and Uganda troops were forced to leave Congo, and anti-Tut- si psychosis became the street reality, le- ading to ethnic cleansing. In the meanti- me, Kabila asks SADC (Southern African Development Community) for military support, he is met with understanding on part of the Angolan, Namibian, and Zimbabwe governments. In exchange he offers the other parties access to mines and resources available in the southern provinces (Katanga, Lualaba, Kasai, Lulula). For Zimbabwe, it was a very at- tractive proposal. Thus Roberto Mugabe decided to take over military leader- ship over the intervening forces. Apart from the above, he hopes to recover the Kabila's debt who, back in 1997, procu- red arms from Zimbabwe, worth more than USD 100 million. The Angolan citi- zens do not want the supply routes used by the UNITA rebels and cut by Kabila to be recovered. The rebels were just star- ting a novel armed campaign against the government. Angola also wanted to protect the oil-rich enclave in Cabinda. The evacuation of forces belonging to Rwanda and Uganda from the capital city is a success. Nonetheless, around 1,000 soldiers of the UPDF (Ugandan People's Defence Force), and the RPA (Rwandan P a t r i o t i c Army), remain in Kinshasa. Meanwhile, Kabarebe develops a cunning plan to take over Kinshasa and tear down Kabila's government by force. OPERATION KITONA On August 2nd, 1998, James Kabarebe's master plan became reality. In the Goma region (capital city of Northern Kivu province, on the other end of Congo), the Banyamulenge rebellion breaks out, bringing the RCD (Rally for Congolese Democracy) movement to life. Later in the evening, General Sylvian Mbuki, head of the 10th FAC Brigade (Forces Armeses Congolaise – regular Congolese Armed Forces), consisting mainly of Banyamulenge, takes over the local ra- dio station announcing his intention to remove power from the Kabila's hands, asking all FAC units to help him. Rwanda fully endorses the rebellion, providing immediate military support, referring to both Kivu provinces as the historic land of Rwanda. Then Rwanda's forces enter Congo to protect the local Tutsi from the extermination planned by Kabila. HCU (Rwandan High Command Unit) com- mandos take over the airfield, along with four jetliners remaining on the apron (two Gona Air and Blue Lines B727s, and two Congo Air Cargo and Air www.fragoutmag.com