ABSTRACT
The optimism created by the ending of the Kalonji secession, the recall of parliament and the reconciliation of Léopoldville and Stanleyville was soon to disappear. Tshombe immediately began backtracking on the reintegration steps, taken or promised, with or without encouragement. Furthermore there was still uncertainty about how Gizenga would join Adoula’s government which had been producing disquiet amongst the French and the British as well as the Belgians. In Washington, Secretary of State Rusk made it clear to the president that the State Department believed there was less risk attached to bringing Gizenga and Gbenye into the government than in leaving them out.1 This, of course, assumed that the two left-wing politicians would be unable to control the government in Léopoldville while enabling Africans in general to continue supporting the UN.2
Rusk, like Spaak, was well aware of the desirability of a reconciliation between Léopoldville and Élisabethville to enable right-wing moderate elements to strengthen their control through Léopoldville in the creation of a unified Congo.3 O’Brien and the UN were now, however, much more concerned with the use of mercenaries and the overt rebellion in northern Katanga where the UN only had meagre troops on the ground. Whether or not he genuinely and mistakenly believed there was a US-UN deal over keeping the Soviets out and abandoning secession, O’Brien did genuinely believe in carrying out UN resolutions. Whatever the ambiguity over interference in internal affairs, the particular Congo resolutions in question undoubtedly required the evacuation of Belgian and other foreign and military personnel, political advisers and mercenaries. On 24 August Kasavubu enacted Ordonnance No. 70 providing for the expulsion of all non-Congolese officers and mercenaries serving in the Katangan gendarmerie and requested UN assistance in so doing. The UN therefore had the legal right to enforce that part of the resolution of 21 February on behalf of the Congolese government. On 28 August Operation Rumpunch was carried out with UN forces occupying the Post Office and radio station in Élisabethville and placing a cordon around Munongo’s villa. Tshombe co-operated by broadcasting a statement that all foreign officers were dismissed from Katangan service and must leave Katanga. It was then agreed that the Belgian Consul would undertake to ensure the surrender and repatriation of all personnel requiring evacuation.4
