Could Zambia take over the Congo Pedicle

When you look at a map of Africa, you see that Zambia is almost divided in half by a section of land that is part of the DRC. It is my understanding that this came about during colonial rule. Based on my readings, this is an issue for Zambia in terms of having a country almost split in two. Please see attached map.

My question is could Zambia have taken over the Congo Pedicle some time after independence. With the instability in the Congo, I would assumed that Zambia could have occupied it and kept it. Also there appears to be a river at the edge of the pedicle which would serve a a natural border.

Please see attached map.

Any thoughts?

Stubear1012

655px-Zambiamap.png
 
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That's part of Katanga, and it had its own secessionist movement that was backed by various Western mining corporations. I don't think they'd take too kindly to any Zambian effort to do so, plus the Katangan leaders could frame it as a hostile invasion and try and bolster their support.

I think it could only happen pre-independence, probably as a result of a world war.
 
I don't see for this any plausible way after 1900. Only way might be that borders of Africa is drawn bit differently in Conference of Berlin.
 
I don't see for this any plausible way after 1900. Only way might be that borders of Africa is drawn bit differently in Conference of Berlin.

Surely you could just have DRC descend into its near-permanent state of anarchy at the same time Zambia has attracted some extra-friendly assistance from one of the usual suspects eager to meddle in the region? Aside from the colonial powers everyone from the US to the North Koreans via Cuba, Libya, USSR and China have poked about in that area. Even the Israelis if someone will sign their time sheets.

At an opportune moment it wouldn't take much of a force by outside standards to carve that chunk off and add it to Zambia - the real issue is that it would almost certainly lead to ZMB being as much or worse of a basket case than DRC as it fails to deal with its gulp from the poison chalice. Which would in turn have unfortunate consequences for an already unfortunate neighbourhood.
 
That's part of Katanga, and it had its own secessionist movement that was backed by various Western mining corporations. I don't think they'd take too kindly to any Zambian effort to do so, plus the Katangan leaders could frame it as a hostile invasion and try and bolster their support.
How about if Zambia does so at the invitation of the Katangans?

I'm thinking something along the lines of a protracted struggle between Katanga and the Congolese government. The Katangan government strikes a deal with the Zambians to enter the war in return for ... something. A resolution of the Luapula boundary dispute, sure, but that won't cut it alone. Zambia invades, tipping the balance of the war, driving Congolese forces out and establishing Katangan independence.
 

yourworstnightmare

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How about if Zambia does so at the invitation of the Katangans?

I'm thinking something along the lines of a protracted struggle between Katanga and the Congolese government. The Katangan government strikes a deal with the Zambians to enter the war in return for ... something. A resolution of the Luapula boundary dispute, sure, but that won't cut it alone. Zambia invades, tipping the balance of the war, driving Congolese forces out and establishing Katangan independence.

Do we really need more nations derping around in the DRC?
 
Do we really need more nations derping around in the DRC?

If there's money/resources involved, as many nations as need to be will be involved. Look at the players in the Congo War for instance.

I'm still not sure whether the Katangans would go for that, though. They'd need to be sure that the powers behind the Katangan government (mining bosses) would go for it, and those bosses would need to be sure that ceding the land to a third party would be worth it in the long run.

And then there's the issue with Zambia, whose leaders would probably see whatever the plan to take the Congo Pedicle was as some sort of colonialist scheme. Especially if those copper mines came with any strings attached and were to be treated any differently than copper mines already existing in Zambia.
 
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