ONUC moved from neutrality to the use of force. It ended Katanga's secession in 1963, at a heavy cost to the UN.
ONUC grew to about 20,000 troops, the largest UN operation of its time. Many came from African and Asian countries.
At first ONUC kept order and helped Belgian troops leave, but it stayed neutral between Congolese factions. Critics said this neutrality helped Katanga survive.
After Lumumba's murder, the Security Council in February 1961 authorised force as a last resort to prevent civil war. It also called for foreign officers and mercenaries to leave. In November 1961 it authorised force to remove mercenaries.
ONUC's first operations against Katanga in 1961 failed. On 18 September 1961 Hammarskjold died in a plane crash in Northern Rhodesia while travelling to meet Tshombe.
In December 1962 ONUC launched a final offensive. In January 1963 Tshombe gave up, and Katanga's secession ended. ONUC left in June 1964. About 250 of its personnel had died. The USSR and France refused to pay for the operation, which caused a financial crisis at the UN.
- Resolution 161
- February 1961: force as a last resort.
- Hammarskjold dies
- 18 September 1961.
- Katanga ends
- January 1963.
- ONUC leaves
- June 1964; about 250 dead.
Worked example: Judging ONUC
Was ONUC a success?
- Aim: Belgian withdrawal - achieved.
- Aim: keep the Congo united - achieved by 1963.
- Aim: a stable government - not achieved.
- Cost: about 250 dead, a UN financial crisis and the loss of a Secretary-General.
Watch out for this
ONUC was a traditional, neutral peacekeeping force throughout.
ONUC began as a neutral force but was given authority to use force. In 1962-1963 it fought and ended Katanga's secession.
Check your understanding
How did Katanga's secession finally end?
- ONUC's military offensive of December 1962 to January 1963
- A vote by the people of Katanga
- A Soviet invasion