Key Facts
- Start date
- August 4, 1998
- Initial target
- Kitona airbase, western Congo
- Method of assault
- Hijacked civilian airliners
- Intervening forces
- Zimbabwe and Angola backed Kabila
- Evacuation
- Rwandan/Ugandan forces airlifted out late 1998
Strategic Narrative Overview
On August 4, 1998, joint Rwandan and Ugandan forces commandeered civilian aircraft and landed troops at Kitona airbase in western Congo, quickly capturing major ports and key infrastructure. The assault initially succeeded in gaining control of strategic positions along the Congo River. However, the rapid advance stalled as Zimbabwe and Angola deployed forces in defense of Kabila's government, blocking the attackers from entering Kinshasa and negating the offensive's momentum.
01 / The Origins
Rwanda and Uganda sought to remove Laurent-Désiré Kabila from power in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, viewing his government as hostile to Rwandan interests. Rwanda aimed to install a more favorable administration by rapidly seizing Kinshasa and Bas-Congo province. The operation was conceived as a swift, decisive strike exploiting Congo's weak military infrastructure and vast territory, capitalizing on surprise to achieve regime change before outside powers could react.
03 / The Outcome
Blocked from capturing Kinshasa by Zimbabwean and Angolan intervention, the Rwandan and Ugandan forces retreated into the jungles of Angola. Unable to sustain their position, they were evacuated by air back to Rwanda by late 1998. The operation's failure prolonged the Second Congo War and highlighted significant Rwandan intelligence failures, while demonstrating the critical role of regional military alliances in shaping the conflict's outcome.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
2 belligerents
Side B
3 belligerents
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.