Refugees from Eastern Congo's rebellions, Wanie Rukula, Congo (Democratic Republic)

"Since Independence, the Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced a number of rebellions. The Popular Liberation Army, under Antoine Gizenga, waged an armed struggle against the central government during the eastern rebellions of 1960-67. More popularly known as "Simbas", the fighting force was composed of often drugged adolescents. Ten of thousands of Congolese and hundreds of foreigners were killed during their reign of terror and the military campaign to end it. In April 1964, Pierre Mulele, former lieutenant of Gizenga, launched a rebellion in Kwilu Province. They destroyed many administrative and missionary institutions. That rebellion was ended in 1965." [F. Scott Bobb, 1999: Historical Dictionary of Democratic Republic of Congo, The Scarecrow Press, Inc.]. During his trip to Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo), Elisofon visited a refugee camp at Wanie Rukula, south of Stanleyville (now Kisangani). This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for American Broadcasting Company and traveled to Africa from early December 1966 to early February 1967.