Environmentalists claim drilling would endanger wildlife and contribute to global warming. USAID has provided assistance to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continuously since the country’s first years of independence. 1999 July - The six African countries involved in the war sign a ceasefire accord in Lusaka. University. US man jailed for supplying guns used in San Bernardino shootings, Emily in Paris: Netflix hit's creator Darren Star 'not sorry' for 'clichés', Virus to stay 'at least until next summer' - France's Macron, George Floyd protests: 'Boogaloo' member held in precinct attack. The development is viewed as a major step toward ending a bloody civil war, but it comes amid renewed violence in the expansive African country. More than a month after French troops first arrived to demilitarize Bunia, the crackle of gunfire continues to break the night time silence. 2002 December - Peace deal signed in South Africa between Kinshasa government and main rebel groups. 2006 February - New constitution comes into force; new national flag is adopted. Striking news pictures from around the world, Brothers play tabla to the BBC theme tune. 2003 June - President Kabila names a transitional government to lead until elections in two years time. Congo becomes independent following their vote for autonomy within the French Community. 1963 - Moise Tshombe agrees to end Katanga's secession. The UN Security Council unanimously agreed on Nov. 20 to send 3,100 more peacekeeping troops to DR Congo. .css-8h1dth-Link{font-family:ReithSans,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:700;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:#FFFFFF;}.css-8h1dth-Link:hover,.css-8h1dth-Link:focus{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Read about our approach to external linking. Since the pullout of Ugandan troops earlier in the month, Bunia had been racked by violence between warring tribal groups. 1977 - President Mobutu invites foreign investors back, without much success; French, Belgian and Moroccan troops help repulse attack on Katanga by Angolan-based rebels. Later that year, Joseph Kabila reaches an agreement for Rwandan- and Ugandan-backed troops to pull back and for the withdrawal of UN troops. The Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, the Congo Republic or simply the Congo, is a country in Central Africa. Up to 20,000 UN peacekeepers are sent to the Congo after the newly independent country asks for help resisting Belgian troops. 2007 April - DRCongo, Rwanda and Burundi relaunch the regional Great Lakes Countries Economic Community (CEPGL). 1994 - President Mobutu agrees to the appointment of Kengo Wa Dondo, an advocate of free-market reforms, as prime minister. The new government's mandate is to reunify the country, which has been torn apart by a five-year civil war. Mobutu is re-elected president for the third time. Internal self-government was achieved in 1958 as a stage in a series of reforms that started in the mid-1940s. 1884-85 - European powers at the Conference of Berlin recognise Leopold's claim to the Congo basin. It is his 20th year in office. One of the richest counties in natural resources, the Democratic Republic of Congo is a force to be reckoned with. The country received its independence from Belgium on 30th June, 1960. VideoCould blood plasma help treat coronavirus? Also sworn in as vice-presidents were a member of the political opposition and an ally of standing president Joseph Kabila. Western nations react by cutting off all ties with Zaire and pulling their citizens out of the country. Songs fill the air during the performance of chores. 2011 November - Presidential and parliamentary elections. Mobutu changes the country's name to Zaire (and changes his own name to Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu Wa Za Banga, which is usually translated as "the all-powerful warrior who, because of his endurance and inflexible will to win, will go from conquest to conquest leaving fire in his wake" or also" the rooster that watches over all hens").