3d episode of our special series about successes and failures of the United Nations since it was created in 1945, detailed by historian Thomas Gidney of the University of Geneva. In the early 1960s, United Nations peacekeepers in the Congo carried out one of the largest and most complex operations in the organization’s early history - and it was far more than “just keeping the peace.”

In June 1960, the Belgian Congo gained independence, becoming the Republic of the Congo (later Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Within days, the new state descended into crisis: the army mutinied, Belgian troops re-entered the country under the pretext of protecting their nationals, the mineral-rich province of Katanga declared secession under Moïse Tshombe, and Cold War powers began maneuvering for influence. Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba, rejecting the return of Belgian forces, appealed to the United Nations for help.

The ONUC Mission

In July 1960, the UN Security Council authorized Opération des Nations Unies au Congo (ONUC), the first large-scale UN military deployment in Africa. Troops came from across the globe, including India, Ghana, Sweden, Ireland, Canada, and Ethiopia. ONUC’s original mandate was to assist in the withdrawal of Belgian forces, maintain law and order, and help preserve the Congo’s territorial integrity.

Facilitating Belgian Withdrawal

ONUC pressured Belgian troops to leave Congolese territory, taking over key installations such as airports and communications centers to prevent further colonial intervention. These moves were intended to assert Congo’s sovereignty and calm tensions in urban areas.

Maintaining Internal Order

The peacekeepers replaced Belgian troops in major towns to avert further army mutinies and reduce violence. They attempted to stop clashes between rival Congolese army factions and militias, though their mandate and resources limited what they could do.

Confronting Katanga’s Secession

Katanga’s breakaway in July 1960 soon became the mission’s central challenge. At first, ONUC monitored the situation, but by late 1961 the UN adopted a more forceful approach. Operations such as Morthor (September 1961) and Grandslam (December 1962–January 1963) saw ONUC in direct combat against Katangan forces and foreign mercenaries, rare examples of UN troops conducting full-scale offensive operations.

After Lumumba’s Assassination

Following Lumumba’s arrest and killing in January 1961, the UN faced sharp criticism for not protecting him. Some historians argue that ONUC’s refusal to intervene militarily in his favor indirectly enabled his demise.

Restoration of Unity and Legacy

By January 1963, Katanga was reintegrated into the Congo under UN supervision. ONUC remained until mid-1964 to assist with stabilization. The mission was the UN’s first “quasi-war” operation, blending peacekeeping, enforcement, and elements of state-building.

Interview of Thomas Gidney by David Glaser

The photo is taken from a UH-19D via Brig-Genral Mohammad Khatami`s camera. From January to May 1963, Imperial Iranian Air Force sent four F-86Fs and eight of best F-86 pilots of Vahdati Airbase together with 33 ground crew to the Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville) as United Nations Peacekeeping Forces under it command. The unit was apparently named 103rd Tactical Fighter Squadron for the duration. In this picture, there are five Swedish Air Force Saab 29 Tunnan and five Philippines Air Force Sabres in a lineup in right side of photo. Photo was taken at Kamina Air Base.

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