ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a number of histories completed to infer conclusions concerning each of the dimensions of analysis and reviews of the key events of the Congo’s history are useful. The area of central Africa that became the Congo, the third largest country on the continent, was endowed generously with natural resources and located in the strategic center of Africa. The day after the Belgians arrived in Katanga, the provincial president, Moise Tshombe, declared the province independent of the Congo. The Soviet Union hoped to increase its influence in the Congo and saw opportunity to curry favor from emerging nationalist leaders in Africa. The principle external actors papered over their differences and fielded the peacekeeping force with a vague mandate to help the Congolese government maintain civil order and ease Belgian forces out of the country. The history of the Congo suggests that a peace operation must have enough legitimacy among external actors to preclude their subversion of the operation.
