Moïse Kapenda Tshombe refuses to end the Katanga secession

Date: 22 Jun 1961
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

Moïse Kapenda Tshombe refuses to end the Katanga secession

Moïse Kapenda Tshombe, finally released from prison by Mobutu Sese Seko refused to end the Katanga secession. On 23 December 1961 he led the Congo province of Katanga into secession following the independence of Congo in June 1960 from Belgium. In his announcement on Katanga's secession from Congo Tshombe explained that Katanga's abundance iof natural minerals of copper, gold, and uranium would be exploited by the newly-formed Congolese government. The secession was supported by most White settlers in the province who would benefit the most from continued control of the region's resources. In June 1967, a plane he was travelling in was hijacked and Tshombe was taken to Algeria where he remained until his death on 29 June 1969.

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How we know this

01South African History Online, ‘MoÃ¯se Kapenda Tshombe leads the Congelese Province of Katanga into secession’, [online], available at www.sahistory.org.za (Accessed: 23 May 2013)
02Bodd-Evans, A. ‘This Day in African History: 22 May’, from About African History, [online], available at www.sahistory.org.za (Accessed: 23 May 2013)

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2013, June 21). Moïse Kapenda Tshombe refuses to end the Katanga secession. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095945

South African History Online (2013) 'Moïse Kapenda Tshombe refuses to end the Katanga secession', South African History Online, 21 June. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095945 (Accessed: 26 July 2026).

South African History Online, Moïse Kapenda Tshombe refuses to end the Katanga secession [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095945, (accessed 26 July 2026).

"Moïse Kapenda Tshombe refuses to end the Katanga secession." South African History Online, 21 June 2013, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095945. Accessed 26 July 2026.

South African History Online. "Moïse Kapenda Tshombe refuses to end the Katanga secession." South African History Online. June 21, 2013. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095945.