Albert Kalonji

Albert Kalonji (b. 1919) is a Congolese politician best known for leading the short-lived secessionist state of South Kasai during the Congo Crisis. Kalonji, a Luba chief, was a leader (with Joseph Ileo) of a moderate faction of Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba's MNC.Within days of being granted independence from Belgium, the new country (at the time called the Republic of the Congo)Not to be confused with the neighboring country of the same name. plunged into chaos; amid the turmoil, Moise Tshombe, president of Katanga Province, announced that "We are seceding from chaos," and declared Katanga's independence on 11 July 1960. Kalonji, partly motivated by tribal rivalries, followed suit shortly afterwards and declared the independence of the diamond-richLarry Devlin, Chief of Station, Congo: Fighting the Cold War in a Hot Zone, p. 62 province of South Kasai on 8 August, giving himself the title (French for Supreme Chief of the Muluba People and Uncontested Protector of the Associated Tribes).

During his brief tenure, Kalonji, who vehemently hated Lumumba (due to the slaughter of thousands of Luba, which Kalonji blamed on the central government), unsuccessfully sought American help in overthrowing Lumumba.Devlin, p....
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