Central Africa

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Timeline: Central Africa

Years: c. 5000 BCE - 2001	Subject: Encyclopedias, Geographical reference
Publisher: HistoryWorld	Online Publication Date: 2012
Current online version: 2012	eISBN: 9780191735769

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BCE CE

Year	Event
c. 5000 BCE	The Sahara, damp enough for the hippopotamus, supports neolithic communities until it begins to dry up in about 3000 BC Go to Neolithic in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Neolithic Science Africa East Africa North Africa
c. 2000 BCE	Bantu-speaking tribes begin to spread through Africa, from their original homelands south of the Sahara Go to Bantu in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Migration Africa East Africa Society Africa south of the equatorial forests is largely inhabited by the Khoisan, of whom the San and the Hottentots are the modern survivors Go to Khoisan in Encyclopedia of Africa (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Migration Africa East Africa South Africa West Africa Society
from 323 BCE	The spread of Greek rule by Alexander introduces the Hellenistic age, which will last for three centuries Go to Hellenistic Age (323–30 bc) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE Politics Dynasties and royalty Africa North Africa Egypt Asia Central Asia West Asia Greece
c. 1000	The salt mines of the Sahara provide a staple commodity in the African caravan trade Go to Salt Trade in Encyclopedia of Africa (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 10th century 11th century Commerce and industry Africa East Africa North Africa Society
c. 1050	Islam reaches Kanem-Bornu, a joint kingdom encompassing the eastern and western shores of Lake Chad Go to Kanem-Bornu in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 11th century Politics Conquest and colonization Religion Islam Africa East Africa
1483	The Portuguese establish a further presence on the west coast of Africa, at the mouth of the Congo river Go to Congo in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Portuguese empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires
c. 1850	The Scottish missionary David Livingstone is profoundly shocked by what he sees of the slave trade at the heart of Africa Go to Livingstone, David (1813–73) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Slavery Africa East Africa Society
1874	Stanley sets off from Bagamoyo, intending to resume the exploration of central Africa where Livingstone left off Go to Stanley, Sir Henry Morton (1841–1904) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Exploration British empire Africa East Africa Society Empires
1876	Stanley passes Nyangwe on the Lualaba, the furthest point down the Congo river system reached by Livingstone Go to Stanley, Sir Henry Morton (1841–1904) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Exploration British empire Africa East Africa Society Empires
1877	Stanley completes his exploration of the Congo, reaching the Atlantic coast at Boma after a three-year journey Go to Stanley, Sir Henry Morton (1841–1904) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Exploration British empire European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa East Africa Europe Society Empires
1880	French explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza forestalls Stanley in opening up the Congo, reaching Stanley Pool ahead of him Go to Brazza, Pierre Savorgnan de (1852–1905) in Encyclopedia of Africa (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization Commerce and industry European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa East Africa Europe Society Empires
1881	Stanley finds Brazza's French tricolor already flying on the north bank of the Congo, on the site of what later becomes Brazzaville Go to Brazza, Pierre Savorgnan de (1852–1905) in Encyclopedia of Africa (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization Commerce and industry European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa East Africa Europe Society Empires
1882	Stanley establishes a foothold for Leopold II on the southern bank of the Congo, at a site which he names Leopoldville (now Kinshasa) Go to Stanley, Sir Henry Morton (1841–1904) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization Commerce and industry European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa East Africa Europe Society Empires
1903	Roger Casement, British consul in the Congo Free State, discovers appalling abuses by Belgian companies Go to Casement, Sir Roger (1864–1916) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Edwardian era 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization War European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa East Africa Europe Empires
1908	International outrage at Congo atrocities forces Belgium to annexe King Leopold's private colony Go to Leopold II (1835–1909) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa East Africa Europe Belgium Empires
1909	Mineral discoveries on the border of Northern Rhodesia and the Belgian Congo give the first hint of the riches of the Copper Belt Go to Zambia in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Commerce and industry European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Zimbabwe Africa East Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Society Empires
1910	Three French colonies south of the Sahara are consolidated as French Equatorial Africa Go to French Equatorial Africa in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa French empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires
1911	Copper mining begins in Katanga, soon to be followed by the extraction of even more profitable diamonds Go to Katanga (Democratic Republic of the Congo) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Commerce and industry European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa East Africa Europe Society Empires
1915	February - British and French forces invade and capture the German colony of Cameroon Go to Cameroon in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa German empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires Wars since 1900
1916	June 17 - Belgian troops from the Congo occupy the German colony of Ruanda-Urundi Go to Burundi in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa German empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires Wars since 1900
1933	The Hutus and Tutsis of Ruanda-Urundi are issued with racial identity cards by the Belgians Go to Hutu and Tutsi in Encyclopedia of Africa (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa East Africa Europe Empires
1960	French Cameroun becomes independent as the republic of Cameroun, with Ahmadou Ahidjo as the first president Go to Cameroon in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa French empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires Patrice Lumumba becomes prime minister of the newly independent Democratic Republic of the Congo, previously the Belgian Congo Go to Lumumba, Patrice Emergy (b. 2 July 1925) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa East Africa Europe Empires Moise Tshombe, taking advantage of chaos in the Congo, declares the independence of Katanga Go to Tshombe, Moise (1920–69) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Africa East Africa Anti-European riots in the Congo cause some 25,000 Belgians to flee the country Go to Congo crisis (1960–65) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Social and domestic European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa East Africa Europe Society Empires The French colony of Chad becomes independent with François Tombalbaye as president Go to Chad in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa French empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires The French colony of Gabon becomes independent with Léon M'ba as president Go to Gabon in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa French empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires The French colony of Ubangi-Shari becomes independent and takes the name Central African Republic Go to Central African Republic in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa French empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires The French Congo becomes independent as the republic of Congo, with Fulbert Youlou as president Go to Congo, Republic of the in Encyclopedia of Africa (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa East Africa Europe Empires Mobutu Sese Seko takes power in a military coup in the midst of chaos in the Congo Go to Mobutu, Sese Seko (1930–97) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Africa East Africa Patrice Lumumba, the dismissed prime minister of the Congo, is arrested on the orders of the army chief of staff, Mobutu Sese Seko Go to Mobutu, Sese Soko (1930–1997) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Africa East Africa
1961	Patrice Lumumba is sent to Katanga, where he is murdered Go to Lumumba, Patrice (2 July 1925) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa East Africa Europe Empires The UN secretary general, Dag Hammarskjöld, dies in a plane crash while trying to secure peace in Katanga Go to Hammarskjöld, Dag Hjalmar Agne Carl (1905–61) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Africa East Africa
1963	Moise Tshombe's rebel regime in Katanga crumbles, and he flees to Spain Go to Tshombe, Moise-Kapenda (1919–1969) in Encyclopedia of Africa (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Africa East Africa
1965	Mobutu stages his second coup in the Congo and this time takes power as president Go to Mobutu, Sese Soko (1930–1997) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Africa East Africa
1966	Jean-Bedel Bokassa takes power in a coup in the Central African Republic Go to Bokassa, Jean Bédel (b. 22 Feb. 1921) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Africa East Africa
1968	Spanish Guinea becomes an independent republic as Equatorial Guinea, with Francisco Macias Nguema as president Go to Equatorial Guinea in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Spanish empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires
1971	Mobutu gives the Congo a new name, Zaire, deriving from an African word for river Go to Congo, Democratic Republic of in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Africa East Africa
1977	In a multi-million dollar ceremony, Jean-Bédel Bokassa proclaims himself emperor of the Central African Republic Go to Bokassa, Jean Bédel (b. 22 Feb. 1921) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Africa East Africa
1979	French paratroops bring to an end the savage rule of Bokassa in the Central African Republic Go to Bokassa, Jean Bédel (b. 22 Feb. 1921) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Africa East Africa
1994	More than a million Hutus, escaping from the backlash after the genocide in Rwanda, are in refugee camps in Zaire Go to Rwandan Genocide in The Oxford Companion to the Politics of the World (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Africa East Africa
1996	Expelled from Sudan, Osama bin Laden moves to Afghanistan where he builds training camps for al-Qaeda Go to Bin Laden, Osama (1957–2011) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics War Africa East Africa Asia Central Asia Afghanistan
1997	After thirty-two years as the corrupt dictator of Zaire, Mobutu Sese Seko is driven out by Laurent Kabila Go to Mobutu Sese Seko, Joseph-Désiré (b. 14 Oct. 1930) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Africa East Africa The name of Zaire is changed once again, reverting to the Democratic Republic of Congo Go to Congo, Democratic Republic of in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Africa East Africa
1998	A UN peacekeeping force takes responsibility for maintaining order in the Central African Republic Go to Central African Republic in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Africa East Africa Civil war breaks out again in the Congo, after a Tutsi uprising against Laurent Kabila's government Go to Congo, Republic of in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century War Africa East Africa Neighbouring African nations, with an interest in Congo's mineral wealth, take part on both sides in a developing civil war Go to Congo, Republic of in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century War Africa East Africa US cruise missiles attack al-Qaeda bases in Afghanistan and a suspected chemical factory in Khartoum Go to al-Qaeda in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination War US presidents Africa East Africa Asia Central Asia Afghanistan Rulers and politicians North America United States
1999	A peace plan signed in Lusaka brings to an end eleven months of renewed civil war in the Congo Go to Congo, Democratic Republic of in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century War Africa East Africa
2001	Laurent Kabila, the president of the Congo, is assassinated in a failed coup attempt Go to Kabila, Laurent‐Désiré (b. 1 Jan 1958) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Terrorism and assassination Africa East Africa

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date: 17 May 2025

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