Kolwezi is a city in the south of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, west of Likasi in the province of Shaba.
Kolwezi is an important mining centre (copper, cobalt). There are also uranium, radium, oxide ores, and lime deposits.
In 1978, on May 12, rebels, supported by Angola, occupied the city. The government of Zaire asked the U.S., France and Belgium to restore the order. 700 Africans and 170 Europeans died.
Near Kolwezi there is the static inverter plant of the HVDC Inga-Shaba.
See also
Kolwezi was home to one of the French Foreign Legions biggest exploits. The 2rep, the elite paratroopers of the FFL, were sent in to pacify the local militia, and succeeded despite tremendous odds. Kolwezei lives on in FFL mystique
External Links
Small site on the city of Kolwezi, with some pictures
