Katanga

Katanga, now known as Shaba, is a historical region in the southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is bordered by Lake Tanganyika, Zambia, and Angola. The region is rich in mineral resources, including copper, cobalt, and uranium, which have been mined since before the arrival of Europeans in the 19th century.1

Katanga was under Belgian colonial rule and experienced significant conflict after Congo gained independence in 1960. It seceded from the Congo in 1960, led by Moise Tshombe and supported by foreign mining interests. This secession led to a period of unrest involving Congolese, Belgian, and United Nations forces. The region was eventually reintegrated into the republic after the fighting ended in 1963. The Katangan Complex, a division of late Precambrian rocks, is found in this region and is economically significant due to its abundant mineral deposits.12