During a mission to DRC in January/February 2010, concerns were expressed by people from many walks of life – national and foreign – in formal and informal settings about the possibility of DRC disintegrating. A review of the underlying forces needs to go as far back as the 16th century when hunting for ivory and slaves led to ethnic conflicts and hostile relations. The political, economic and social disruptions that occurred in Central Africa made it easier for Europeans to implement a policy of divide and rule. Weaker communities that had suffered sought European protection while established rivals used European allies against their hostile neighbors.
In Congo, Leopold II and the subsequent colonial government encouraged ethnic isolation or rivalries and hostilities. Some rulers and/or ethnic groups were allowed to exercise hegemony over others. The Luba were favored and enjoyed higher status because they were considered superior to others. These divide and rule tactics created mistrust and antagonism among ethnic groups and weakened national consciousness.
Because the formation of political parties was not allowed, Congolese formed cultural organizations that consolidated ethnic separateness. For example, Bakongo formed a cultural group (ABAKO) whose primary objective was to bring together their tribes scattered in Angola and Congo Brazaville. The abrupt decision of January 1960 to grant independence on June 30, 1960 did not permit time to form national parties. Except for Lumumba and his party that tried to go national, all other parties were ethnic-based with a preference for ethnic or regional autonomy rather than national independence. The Europeans who had their own interests discouraged the formation of national consciousness and political parties.
The Katangese led by Moise Tshombe favored a federal system of government or outright secession and the maintenance of friendly relations with Belgium. They were encouraged by Belgian interests. Katanga constituted an independent centre of economic activity and had little contact with the central government in Leopoldville. For commercial purposes Katanga was more linked with white settlers of Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and South Africa than with Leopoldville.
In preparation for independence the Confederation des Association Tribales du Katanga (KONAKAT) was heavily influenced by European settlers with financial support of the mining company Union Miniere. Plans for the secession of Katanga were openly discussed. In December 1959, six months before independence, Tshombe announced that a federal Congo including a Katanga state might or might not be possible. In any case Katanga would maintain relations with Belgium. The prime minister of the Central African Federation (Malawi, Southern and Northern Rhodesia) was approached with a proposal for Katanga to join the federation. When Tshombe declared Katanga independent on July 11, 1960, there was strong Belgian support. Kasai which also seceded had strong backing of Belgian interests.
Mobutu Sese Seko whose principal goal was to rule Zaire for life had no interest in creating a strong state and the integration of the various ethnic groups. In fact he discouraged the construction of roads or the maintenance of the network he inherited in order to keep Congolese isolated from one another so they do not get together and pose a challenge against his misrule. Regional or ethnic developments became the order of the day, making it easy to divide the country and plunder it with impunity. These arrangements have promoted sentiments for local or regional autonomy. Consequently, a single Congolese state or society does not exist.
Studies conducted since the 1990s do reveal that the potential for secession remains high in some provinces. Earlier in 1977 and 1978 the two invasions of Katanga by secessionist rebels would probably have succeeded had it not been for Belgian, French and Moroccan troops. The symbols of secession were again revealed in Katanga when all non-Katangese groups were expelled in 1992.
Like Katanga, Kasai seceded in 1962- 63. Since then Kasaians or Luba have spread to all parts of the country causing suspicion and their expulsion when an opportunity arises, a situation that does not augur well for a unified and integrated state.
During the mission referred to above there were two main concerns. There are those who think that DRC is too big and should be divided up into manageable administrative units through decentralization. Those who want to keep the country together fear that the inclusion of decentralization into the constitution apparently on the advice of foreign interests is designed to weaken the state and pave the way for its disintegration. They complained that the demand by some neighboring countries for a Berlin II conference to revisit colonial boundaries is designed to dismember DRC, which, if it happens, could open a pandora’s box.