The Independence Movement in the Former Belgian Congo

Compared with nationalist movements in other countries, the nationalist movement in former Belgian Congo emerged late. Anti-colonial protests however are as old as colonial rule itself: armed opposition by the more powerful states of the Congo; religious movements to express people’s frustrations; urban riots among wage-earners and unemployed. The nationalist movement dates from the late 1950s. The country became independent in 1960. The article describes in detail the political developments of this period. Map, photographs. bibl.