|
Zairian government plan erupts into large-scale warfare
(CNN) -- The revolt that brought Laurent Kabila to power in the country he has renamed the Democratic Republic of Congo erupted when Zairian Tutsis took up arms over a government plan to strip them of their land and force them to leave the country.
The movement quickly spread with other ethnic groups and political parties joining in to topple Zairian President Mobutu Sese Seko.
And what began as a seemingly unorganized movement seven months ago now threatens Mobutu's nearly 32-year rule, which, aside from the reign of monarchs, exceeds that of any current head of state except Cuban President Fidel Castro.
A L S O From Mobutu to Kabila: A Timeline Zaire: A snapshot
The rebels have captured more than half of Zaire, including its second- and third-largest cities.
The offensive even prompted White House press secretary Mike McCurry to declare: "Mobutuism is about to become a creature of history."
The fighting began in mid-October after the Zairian regional administrator in Uvira told a group of local Tutsis, the Banyamulenge, to leave Zaire within a week.
Who are the Banyamulenge?
FOCUS: CONFLICT IN ZAIRE
ANATOMY OF A CRISIS · KEY FACTS · ESSAY ON ZAIRE
CAST OF CHARACTERS · QUIZ
Tell us what you think!
You said it...
© 1997 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.