1960 Force Publique mutinies

On 5 July 1960, soldiers of the garrisons of Léopoldville and Thysville of the Force Publique, the army of the newly independent Republic of the Congo mutinied against their white officers. The revolt quickly spread throughout the Bas-Congo and engulfed the country in disorder, beginning the Congo Crisis.

1960 Force Publique mutinies
Congolese troops in early July 1960
Date	July 1960
Location	Léopoldville and Thysville, later other places in the Lower Congo
Type	Mutiny, riots, protests
Cause	Discontent about repression, racial segregation, and slow progress of reforms in the Force Publique
Motive	Replacement of European officers (particularly Émile Janssens) in the Force Publique; reorganisation of the army
Participants	Mutinous Congolese soldiers Belgian metropolitan troops Congolese government and loyal armed forces
Outcome	Belgian military intervention to protect citizens. Nomination of black officers.

Other major events

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