 In August 1960 , due to rejection of requests to the UN for aid to suppress the South Kasai and Katanga revolts , Lumumba 's government decided to request Soviet help. de Witte writes that ' Leopoldville asked the Soviet Union for planes , lorries , arms , and equipment . .. Shortly afterwards , on 22 or 23 August , about 1 @,@ 000 soldiers left for Kasai . ' de Witte goes on to write that on 26 – 27 August , the ANC seized Bakwanga , Albert Kalonji 's capital in South Kasai , without serious resistance . ' In the next two days it temporarily put an end to the secession of Kasai.' 
