Which countries supported opposing sides during the Second Congo War?

The Second Congo War (1998–2003), often referred to as Africa’s "first world war," involved the intervention of multiple nations supporting opposing sides in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.123

The opposing sides were supported by the following countries:

• Supporting the Congolese government (Laurent Kabila and later Joseph Kabila):

  • Angola13
  • Namibia13
  • Zimbabwe13
  • Chad3
  • Sudan3

• Supporting the anti-Kabila rebels:

  • Rwanda13
  • Uganda13
  • Burundi3

The conflict was characterized by extreme violence and the illicit exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, diamonds, and coltan, by both armed groups and the intervening foreign nations. The war eventually led to a power-sharing agreement in 2002 and the establishment of a transitional government in 2003.143