On June 30, 1960 the Belgian King Baudoin proclaimed the independence of the "Belgish Congo", which had been a Belgian colony since 1908. The Republic of Congo was formed with Lumumba as preimier-designate and Kasavubu as president.
Within a week of independence violent disorder began and a revolt of armed Congolese started because of ethnic disputes. Despite the objections of Lumumba Belgian troops were sent to the Congo to restore order. This action was seen as an attempt of getting back Belgian authority and provocated violence against Europeans.
Because of the rich mineral resources in Katanga, a province of the Congo, the Belgians wanted to keep this province. To reach this target they collaborated with Moise Kapenda Tshombe, who proclaimed Katanga's independence on July 11. A bloody civil war started and after Lumumba's demand for help UN forces were sent to the Congo with the intention of restoring order and supplanting Belgian troops.