Albert Kalongi (b. 1919^[1] or 1929^[2]) 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.^[3] Motto Justice – Paix – Travail(French) Justice – Peace – Work Anthem Debout Congolais Capital (and largest city) Kinshasaa Official languages French Government Semi-Presidential Republic  -  President Joseph Kabila  -  Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga Independence  -  from Belgium June 30, 1960  Area  -  Total 2,344,858 km² (12th) 905,351 sq mi   -  Water (%) 3. ... For other uses, see Secession (disambiguation). ... In political geography and international politics a country is a geographical entity, a territory, most commonly associated with the notions of state or nation. ... Flag of South Kasai South Kasai was a secessionist region in the area of south central Congo (Kinshasa) during the early 1960’s. ... Combatants Congo  UN troops Katanga  Belgium Mercenaries The Congo Crisis (1960-1965) was a period of turmoil in the First Republic of the Congo that began with national independence from Belgium and ended with the seizing of power by Joseph Mobutu. ... The Luba are one of the Bantu peoples of Central Africa. ... The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view. ... In politics and religion, a moderate is an individual who holds an intermediate position between two extreme or radical viewpoints. ... The Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (French: , Swahili: , Lingala: ) , is Congos Head of Government. ... Patrice Lumumba as the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1960 Patrice Émery Lumumba (2 July 1925 – 17 January 1961) was an African anti-colonial leader and the first legally elected Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo after he helped to win its independence... The Mouvement National Congolais (English: Congolese National Movement, MNC) is a pro-independence group that emerged in the colonized Belgian Congo. ...

Flag of South Kasai.

Within days of being granted independence from Belgium, the new country (at the time called the Republic of the Congo^[4] 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 July 11, 1960. Kalonji, partly motivated by tribal rivalries, followed suit shortly afterwards and declared the independence of the diamond-rich^[5] province of South Kasai on August 8, giving himself the title Suprême du Peuple Muluba et Protecteur Incontesté des Tribus Associées à son sort (French: Supreme Chief of the Muluba People and Protector of the Associated Tribes).^[1] Image File history File links Flag_of_South_Kasai. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_South_Kasai. ... Flag of South Kasai South Kasai was a secessionist region in the area of south central Congo (Kinshasa) during the early 1960’s. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Country Democratic Republic of the Congo Capital Lubumbashi Largest city Lubumbashi National language Swahili, Tshiluba Land area¹ 496. ... July 11 is the 192nd day (193rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 173 days remaining. ... 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1960 calendar). ... This article is about the gemstone. ... August 8 is the 220th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (221st in leap years), with 145 days remaining. ...

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.^[6]

On April 12, 1961, Kalonji's father was granted the title Mulopwe (which roughly translates to "emperor" or "god-king"^[7]), but he immediately "abdicated" in favor his son.^[1] On July 16, Kalonji rejected royalty status, but retained the title of Mulopwe and changed his name to Albert I Kalonji Ditunga.^[2] April 12 is the 102nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (103rd in leap years). ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ... July 16 is the 197th day (198th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 168 days remaining. ...

Kalonji's reign, however, proved to be short-lived; after a four-month military campaign, the military of the central government managed to successfully capture South Kasai, and on December 30, Kalongi was arrested.^[1] He did manage to escape shortly afterwards, and managed to maintain a government that lasted till October 1962.^[1] December 30 is the 364th day of the year (365th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 1 day remaining. ...

Following Joseph Mobutu's 1965 coup, South Kasai was divided into two regions, partly to discourage future secessionist tendencies.^[1] Mobutu Sese Seko Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga (October 14, 1930 – September 7, 1997), known commonly as Mobutu, or Mobutu Sese Seko, born Joseph-Désiré Mobutu, was the President of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) for 32 years (1965–1997), in which he rose to power... 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). ... // A coup dÉtat (pronounced ), or simply coup, is the sudden overthrow of a government, often through illegal means by a part of the state establishment — mostly replacing just the high-level figures. ...

As of 2007, Kalonji is still living^[8], and retains the title Souverain Possesseur des Terres occupées par les Balubas (Sovereign and Owner of the Land of the Baluba).^[1] He is the author of Memorandum: Ma lutte, au Kasai, pour la Verite au service de la Justice (published 1964) and Congo 1960. La Sécession du Sud-Kasaï. La vérité du Mulopwe (published 2005)^[8]

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