Operation Unokat

rdf:langString Operation Unokat

rdf:langString

rdf:langString Operation Unokat

rdf:langString Swedish troops in action during Operation Unokat

rdf:langString Supported by:

rdf:langString Rhodesia and Nyasaland

rdf:langString Congo-Léopoldville

rdf:langString ONUC *25px Ethiopia * * * * Malaya Supported by:

rdf:langString Operation Unokat

rdf:langString the Congo Crisis

rdf:langString ONUC victory * Kitona Declaration

rdf:langString Operation Unokat, also styled Operation UNOKAT, was an offensive undertaken by United Nations peacekeeping forces from 5 December 1961 to 21 December 1961 against the gendarmerie of the State of Katanga, a secessionist state rebelling against the Republic of the Congo in central Africa. The United Nations had tried several times to reconcile the government of the Congo with the State of Katanga, which had declared independence under Moïse Tshombe with Belgian support in 1960. Operation Morthor and the death of UN General Secretary Dag Hammarskjöld had led to a ceasefire between UN and Katangese forces earlier in the year. This ceasefire, along with the new General Secretary U Thant and a renewed international support, saw UN forces rearm and expand as violence flared between Congolese and Katangan troops. A number of skirmishes with UN forces in the Katangese capital Élisabethville and the establishment of roadblocks by the Katangese to cut off and limit the movement of UN forces within the city called for military action, so the UN launched Unokat. The Katangese forces were gradually pushed back and UN forces secured Élisabethville. The Katangese agreed to negotiate an agreement with the Congolese central government, which led to the Kitona Declaration stating that Katanga was part of the Congo and planned to re-integrate with the Congo. However, the agreement would not be carried out, forcing the UN to launch Operation Grandslam to forcibly reintegrate Katanga and end the secession.