Congo Independence (1958-1961)
The case of the Congo independence is of particular importance. Conflicts give rise to revolutions and revolutions directs to social changes in the society. Independence is mostly a result of a revolution, a focused group working to bring about this change. This paper will therefore outline the case of the Congo independence and how that relates to Kriesberg theories mentioned in his epic book, Constructive Conflicts.
Congo was given independence in 1960 as a result of the efforts of the Belgiums hard work and combined efforts that were organized behind the governor generals house. (Gascoigne, 2007, Pg 1) Congo was previously identified as Zaire, after 1997 its name was changed to Congo. Congo is sited in Central Africa. At present, Congo is the eighth most densely inhabited country in the world. (Gascoigne, 2007, Pg 1)
Kriesberg has mentioned in his book various reasons behind the cause of a societal conflict. He has mentioned in his theory that A social conflict exists when two or more persons or groups manifest the belief that they have incompatible objectives.(Kriesberg, 2007, p. 2) The two opposing groups fighting in Congo were the colonial powers and the intellectuals who joined the masses to overthrow the colonials. This resistance had grown out of the peoples war fought in 1908 as well as 1895. (Gascoigne, 2007, Pg 1) Also included in this are the fights between the peanuts as well as the workers from 1900 to 1945 (Gascoigne, 2007, Pg 1) Anti colonialism therefore instigated the people to work towards nationalism leading to mass revolt in which the people were able to achieve independence.
The major cause of the Congo conflict was primarily due to the state of the social structure in the country. This has been outlined by Kriesberg in his systems theory which outlines that social conflicts are caused primarily due to the social structure rather the layers of stratification in the social order. (Kriesberg, 2007, p.15) The class structure of Congo preceding its independence is as follows
The metropolitan or imperialist bourgeoisie they were at the head of the hierarchy in Congo. They were the ones who had the top positions and the best economic position in the economic structure. (Georges, 2002, p.63)
The middle bourgeoisie they are identified on the basis of their income methods. The middle bourgeoisie derives income from capitalist modes that is, via exploitation of the wage earners. (Georges 2002, p.64)
The petty bourgeoisie This class of the owners and the producers who do not exploit the proletariats. (Georges, 2002, p.64)
The traditional ruling class this comprised of the natives or the groups of people who had been living in Congo since a long time. (Georges, 2002, p.64)
The peasantry these were the wage earners who worked in the farms and were also a target for exploitation. (Georges, 2002, p.63)
The working class the assemblage of populace in the far end of the hierarchy and as per the capitalist views they were the ones comprising those working under the middle class. (Georges, 2002, p.60)
The lumpenproletariat this comprises of the unskilled labor force. Georges, 2002, p. 53)
The conflict was therefore between the high end of the hierarchy who imposed their hegemony with the lower end of it that includes the working class as well the wage earners who comprised of both skilled and unskilled labor force. The masses were accompanied by the evolues who were the intellectuals, the people who promoted and promulgated the cause of nationalism and anti colonialism to break free from the hierarchy and the discrimination of the upper classes.
The major state involved in the conflict was the state of Belgium. The conflict also included the United Nations who arranged a cease fire. At that particular point of time, the government prevailing was that of Van Hemerlijick. The revolt that took place in 1959 shook the Belgian government by a great amount. (Tor Sellstrm, 1996, P. 1) It caused an urgent case of panic in the whole country. At that time, the government had no sense of an uprising or a conflict. Colonialism had made all the colonists think that no one would be able to defeat them. As mentioned above, there was a lot of hierarchy in the society that had made the power at the higher levels appear to be unchallengeable.
However, the addition of the intellectual class in to the masses, which the French termed as evolues contributed a great deal towards making the people realize their goals and rights as well as their true worth. The intellectuals increased the awareness in the common man regarding the exploitation that was taking place. Colonialism had a major economic impact and this impact had kept the strict layers of stratification remain particularly stratified, leaving no room for people to migrate from one social class into another one. The weak remained the weak and the powerful kept on gaining power. However, the merging of the intellectual class that led to widespread awareness regarding the cause of nationalism in the common man therefore encouraged the people to overthrow the hefty power of the bourgeoisie and establish independence.
The political structure at that time included the elections that took place. Leopoldville was the place where the elections were taking place. (Coleman, 1964, 572) These were won by the political group, Abako. Abako was working to promote the political cause of the Bakongo tribal group that comprised of the traditional representatives in the country. (Coleman, 1964, 574) Kasavubu was the head of this political party who had a firm belief in the establishment of a federalist independent Congo rather than a Belgium Congo under the strong hierarchy system. (Coleman, 1964, 574)
Kasavubus opposing candidate was Patrice Lumumba who believed in the centralized system of government in Belgium rather than federalist one. (Georges, 2002, 144) He was the man who formed the first Congo political party known as Mouvement National Congolais MNC. (Coleman, 1964, p.585)
In order to increase autonomy at the colonial level, the case if taken up to the higher authorities that is to Brussels, instigated a great amount of political instability that was substantiated by the series of riots and chaos that took place in 1959, whereby shops were closed, roads blocked, people were targeted and there was a lot of bloodshed and social instability in the region which also led to the banning of a preplanned political rally. These riots also saw immense racial and ethnic cleansing.
However, Belgiums response in this case for the first time in history was that of a conciliatory rather than a rebellious state. Baudoin, the king of Belgium, declared that elections would be held in order to grant political autonomy to Congo. (Georges, 2002, 30) In fact, he was enthusiastic about granting Congo not only political but also geographical independence. This was the first step to the ladder of the independence of Congo.
The major political activity took place under the umbrella of tribal political parties as at that point in time there were hardly any other political allegiances. By the end of 1959, about fifty diplomatic parties were listed. (Coleman, 1964, 355) The riots and bloodshed prevailing again increased by leaps and bounds and once again the instability caused a meeting of sixty Congolese representatives in Brussels. Owing to this chaotic situation, Belgium proposed that the independence be spread over a time span of four years, a view that was vehemently opposed.
Along with Belgium, the interests of the United States of America were also included. As absurd as it may appear, it is widely assumed that the United States of America in alliance with the United Nations as well as Belgium tried their utmost to manipulate the independence of Congo. (Georges, 202, 253) This is because Congo was not serving the core interest of the United States of America as exemplified by the role country played in the Cold War, when it was pro-Russia rather than pro-USA. The United States of America primarily wanted to overthrow the communist revolution that was opposing the capitalist views that the Americans believed in. In fact, by major foreign experts, the Cold War is considered to be the prime cause of the U.S intervention in the independence of Congo.
By many it is widely believed that the Congo conflict was not a tribal, a local or a civil conflict but rather it was a conflict which was worked up on by Belgium, the United States of America as well as the United Nations. (Georges, 2002, 112)
The AMC was the most important local figure in the Congo independence and as Kriesberg has already outlined in his book, constructive conflicts of the partys ideology was based on four prime factors goal, character, the partys role in the broader social context and its relationship with other parties. (Kriesberg, 2007)
The AMC emerging as the prominent local player was led by Lumumba who was opposed by Belgium and also the United Nations. (Lusignan, 2010, 1) It is considered by many foreign experts that Lumumbas death meant a great victory for the United States of America as it meant the crash of communism in central Africa. Lumumba was a nationalist who believed in bringing about a socialist system in the country, a belief that was fervently resisted by the major players involved. (Lusignan, 2010, 1) In fact, Congo also saw the Belgian forces gain grounds and try to take over, one move that was tried to be ceased by the efforts of the United Nations.
The case of the independence of Congo shows to the reader what conflicts can lead to. Even though the overthrow of colonialism by the AMC meant than Congo could not be free from discrimination, the truth was otherwise. The United States has targeted the Republic of Congo as still being backward both socially, politically and also economically. However, whatever may appear to be the view of the super powers, the independence of Congo was a prime step taken by the AMC and the conflict was in essence constructive, as it led to an independent state for the inhabitants free from social injustices.
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