Second Congo War, 1998 - 2003
Shortly after coming to power, Laurent Kabila expelled his Rwandan advisors and began aiding armed groups associated with the perpetration of the Rwandan genocide. Rwanda and Uganda invaded the Congo again in August 1998. Other nations quickly joined in, as Zimbabwe, Angola, and Namibia rallied to the Congo's defense. A wide array of local rebel groups and militias also formed and took part in the conflict. The UN has accused all nations involved of using the war as a cover for looting diamonds, coltan, gold, and other resources from this mineral-rich region.