Aftermath of the Stanleyville Massacre | Evacuation of Europeans From Congo | November 1964

Описание: November 1964.

Footage of the aftermath of the massacre of European expatriates by secessionist forces in Stanleyville (now Kisangani) during what was widely known as the "Simba Rebellion".

The "Orientale Revolt" or the "Simba Revolution", as it was alternately called, resulted in Lumumbist guerrillas capturing most of the eastern region of the former Belgian Congo.

In 1961, Antoine Gizenga, an ally of the deposed and later slain Patrice Lumumba, declared a parallel state which was called the Free Republic of the Congo. However, the later dissolution of the government which was designed to reach an accomodation with the central government in Leopoldville (later Kinshasa) led to Gizenga's arrest and the flight of many Lumumbists into exile.

What came to be known as the "Simba" movement was a coalition of leftists led by Gaston Soumialot , Christophe Gbenye and Laurent-Désiré Kabila. The movement also included Rwandan exiles known as "Inyenzi"

Although supported by the Soviet Union, as well as Egypt and Algeria, supplies were infrequent and training of guerrillas not extensive. Attacks by better armed soldiers of the Congolese National Army (ANC) and mercenaries gradually weakened the Simba.

The taking of almost 1,000 European hostages (including some US citizens) by Simba forces in Stanleyville led to a military invention orchestrated by Belgium and the United States. "Operation Dragon Rouge" succeeded in rescuing 1,800 hostages and evacuating them along with 400 Congolese. However, the Simba executed almost 200 foreigners and thousands of Congolese.

While the Simba still provided problems to the central government, their strongholds continued to fall to forces fighting for the central government.

The revolt ended in November 1965.

Source of footage: ITN news archive via Getty Images.