First Congo War (1996–1997)

1. Lemera Hospital massacre in South Kivu

   Oct 6, 1996Labels: Lemera Hospital, South Kivu, AFDL

   • UN Mapping
   • Lemera

2. AFDL coalition formally established in Kigali

   Oct 18, 1996Labels: AFDL, Kigali, Laurent Kabila

   • AFDL
   • Kabila bio

3. Rwanda invades eastern Zaire; war begins

   Oct 24, 1996Labels: Rwanda, eastern Zaire, cross-border offensive

   • First Congo War
   • 1996 in Zaire

4. Rebels seize Uvira, first major town

   Oct 24, 1996Labels: Uvira, South Kivu, AFDL

   • Washington Post

5. AFDL captures Bukavu, South Kivu capital

   Oct 30, 1996Labels: Bukavu, South Kivu, AFDL

   • Washington Post

6. Rebels and Rwandan troops capture Goma

   Nov 1, 1996Labels: Goma, North Kivu, Rwandan forces

   • Washington Post
   • HRW Zaire

7. UN Security Council seeks groundwork for refugee force

   Nov 9, 1996Labels: UN Security, refugee camps, multinational force

   • Washington Post

8. Mugunga camp attacked; mass refugee exodus begins

   Nov 14, 1996Labels: Mugunga Camp, refugees, attacks

   • Washington Post
   • HRW Zaire

9. UN-backed intervention plan collapses after exodus

   Nov 28, 1996Labels: UN intervention, multinational force, refugee exodus

   • Washington Post

10. Zairian counteroffensive begins; rebels resume advance

    Jan 20, 1997Labels: Zairian army, counteroffensive, AFDL

    • Washington Post
    • First Congo War

11. AFDL captures Kindu in Maniema

    Mar 3, 1997Labels: Kindu, Maniema, AFDL

    • Washington Post
    • Kisangani battle

12. Rebels seize Kisangani after major battle

    Mar 15, 1997Labels: Kisangani, AFDL, major battle

    • Kisangani battle
    • Washington Post

13. AFDL captures diamond hub Mbuji-Mayi

    Apr 5, 1997Labels: Mbuji-Mayi, Kasai, diamonds

    • Lubumbashi
    • Refworld Chron

14. AFDL captures Lubumbashi, Katanga’s capital

    Apr 9, 1997Labels: Lubumbashi, Katanga, mining city

    • Lubumbashi
    • Refworld Chron

15. Mandela invites Mobutu and Kabila to talks

    Apr 17, 1997Labels: Nelson Mandela, peace talks, Mobutu

    • AP via Deseret
    • Mail Guardian

16. Kabila boards SAS Outeniqua for planned talks

    May 4, 1997Labels: SAS Outeniqua, Laurent Kabila, peace meeting

    • LA Times
    • Washington Post

17. Mobutu flees Kinshasa as rebels close in

    May 16, 1997Labels: Mobutu, Kinshasa, regime collapse

    • Mail Guardian
    • TIME

18. AFDL enters Kinshasa; Kabila takes power

    May 17, 1997Labels: Kinshasa, Laurent Kabila, AFDL

    • First Congo War
    • AFDL