By Tom Croasdell

In 1965, just two years before his death, Che Guevara travelled to Africa, with the aim of triggering a revolution in the continent’s central country, the Republic of the Congo. Not a great deal is known about the seven months he spent there, other than it culminated in resounding defeat for the icon.

Why the Congo?

Following the successful Che-inspired revolution in Cuba, the activist embarked upon a series of both widespread and frequent journeys worldwide. He met with guerrilla and revolutionary groups, resulting in the establishment of the Organisation of Solidarity of the peoples of Africa, Asia and Latin America. 1964 saw Che travel to cities such as Peking and Paris in his capacity as a Cuban representative, but the majority of his journies were to African nations, such as Algeria, Ghana and the Republic of the Congo.

These trips served only to fuel Che’s belief that Western meddling had harmful effects on underdeveloped and newly independent countries such as the Congo. The Republic of the Congo had only achieved independence some four years prior, following 52 years of Belgian control from Brussels. The Congolese had grown accustomed to an unjust legal system and a lack of political power, but towards the end of Belgian control, resistance to this regime was growing – proof enough for Che that Congolese people had sufficient political conscience to rise up against injustice and inequality. It was this conscience that he aimed to rouse five years later, upon his arrival in the Congo in 1965.

Despite gaining independence, western ‘meddling’ was indeed still apparent in the Congo, with Che claiming that it promoted exploitation and oppression there. The Belgian government desired to keep up its mining rights there, and the US intended to remove any leftist sympathisers from the country. However, it would be inaccurate to suggest that the Congolese people were totally opposed to Western interference. For example, forces from the Katanga province of the Congo supported the Belgian and US aims, and culminated in 1961 in the assassination of prime minister, and independence pioneer, Patrice Lumumba. This plunged the country into, what would turn out to be, five years of extreme instability and turmoil – perhaps from Che’s point of view, the ideal breeding ground to spark revolutionary attitude. So, in April 1956, Che, his second-in-command, Victor Dreke, and more than 100 Afro-Cuban revolutionaries arrived in the Congo.

Why did revolution in the Congo fail?

There is no clear cut explanation as to why Che’s revolution attempt failed in the Congo. There are many conclusions that various historians have reached as to why he failed – both on the part of Che’s policies, as well as the atmosphere in the Congo. Essentially, Che lacked real understanding of the society he hoped to penetrate and shape. Naturally, he was aware that the Congo’s regime was pro-Western, as this was exactly what he wanted to revolt against. He was convinced that Africa was imperialism’s ‘weak link’, demonstrating his firm belief that the continent to have great revolutionary potential. However, Che underestimated the level of influence that the US and Belgium continued to maintain in the Congo, despite the country’s independence: Given their aversion to communism, in exchange for their loyalty and support, the two countries paid troops to join the National Congolese Army. Essentially, the troops needed by Che to join the revolution were actually being controlled by the nations which the revolution was intended to fight. Not only this, but the forces also had the support of white (particularly South African) mercenaries.

On top of this, there were several shortcomings on the part of Che himself: His army from Cuba, for example, comprised of just 120 troops. Especially given his lack of formal military training, Che’s army was simply no match against the aided Congolese army: US funds enabled Che’s communications to be monitored, arranged for any rebels to be ambushed and organised the interception of his supply lines. Che had hoped that he would be able to conceal his presence in the Congo. Not only this, problems such as laziness, drunkenness and the lack of disposition to fight emerged almost straightaway amongst Che’s rebel troops.

Che’s Conclusions

Che was under no illusions that his efforts in the Congo had been anything other than a complete failure. In his diaries, he concluded that the atmosphere was simply not right for revolution, declaring: “Africa has a long way to go before it reaches its real revolutionary maturity.” Moreover, he admitted that that amongst local forces, infighting was a real problem. He accused the troops of being incompetent and obstinate.

Defeated

In the true spirit of revolution, Che fully intended to carry on the struggle against the pro-Western regime. He suggested sending home any wounded troops and fighting until the very end. However, after seven months, and suffering badly with dysentery, as well as with the severe asthma which plagued him throughout his life, Che was persuaded by his comrades to leave Africa. Naturally, he left with great reluctance.