Editing Self-proclaimed monarchy (section)

=== Congo ===
Within days of being independent from Belgium, the new [[Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville)|Republic of the Congo]] found itself torn between competing political factions, as well as by foreign interference. As the situation deteriorated, [[Moise Tshombe]] declared the independence of [[Katanga Province]] as the [[State of Katanga]] on 11 July 1960. [[Albert Kalonji]], claiming that the [[Luba people|Baluba]] were being persecuted in the Congo and needed their own state in their traditional [[Kasai (region)|Kasai]] homeland, followed suit shortly afterwards and declared the autonomy of [[South Kasai]] on 8 August, with himself as head.<ref name="Imperial Collection">[https://archive.today/20121209023934/http://www.imperial-collection.net/southkasai01.html "The Imperial Collection: The Autonomous State of South Kasai"]</ref>{{full citation needed|date=April 2022}} On 12 April 1961, Kalonji's father was granted the title ''Mulopwe'' (which roughly translates to "emperor" or "god-king"),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+zr0146) |title=''Zaire: A Country Study'', "Establishment of a Personalistic Regime" |publisher=Lcweb2.loc.gov |accessdate=2014-08-03 |archive-date=2012-12-05 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205035514/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+zr0146) |url-status=dead }}</ref> but he immediately "abdicated" in favor of his son.<ref name="Imperial Collection"/> On 16 July, but retained the title of ''Mulopwe'' and changed his name to Albert I Kalonji Ditunga.<ref name="Provinces of Congo">{{cite web|author=Ben Cahoon |url=http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Congo-K_Provinces_1960-1966.html |title=Provinces of Belgian Congo and Congo (Kinshasa) |publisher=Worldstatesmen.org |accessdate=2014-08-03}}</ref> The move was controversial with members of Kalonji's own party and cost him much support.

Shortly thereafter, as preparation for the invasion of Katanga, Congolese government troops invaded and occupied South Kasai, and Kalonji was arrested.<ref name="Imperial Collection"/> He escaped, but South Kasai ultimately returned to the Congo.<ref name="Imperial Collection"/>