 On 9 July 1960 , there was a Force Publique mutiny at Camp <unk> at <unk> ; five or seven Europeans were killed . The army revolt and resulting rumours caused severe panic across the country , and Belgium despatched troops and the naval Task Group 218 @.@ 2 to protect its citizens . Belgian troops intervened in <unk> and Luluabourg ( 10 July ) , Matadi ( 11 July ) , Leopoldville ( 13 July ) and elsewhere . There were immediate suspicions that Belgium planned to re @-@ seize the country while doing so . Large numbers of Belgian colonists fled the country . At the same time , on 9 July , Albert Kalonji proclaimed the independence of South Kasai . Two days later on 11 July , Moise Tshombe declared the independence of Katanga province in the south @-@ east , closely backed by remaining Belgian administrators and soldiers . 
