| Lusambo | |
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Lusambo
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| Country | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Province | Maniema |
| Territory | Kailo Territory |
Lusambo is a town and territory in Sankuru District, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The town lies north of the confluence of the Sankuru River and the Lubi River.[1][2][3] Lusambo is served by Lusambo Airport.
In 1890 Lusambo was chosen by Paul Le Marinel as the main Belgian base in the Kasai region to defend against the threat of Arab or Swahili traders in slaves and ivory who were encroaching from the east. The station would soon become one of the most important military posts of the Congo Free State with a permanent staff of seventeen whites, six hundred native soldiers and four artillery pieces.[4]
In 1999 there were claims that U.S. mercenaries were operating rebel artillery and communications equipment in Lusambo during the Second Congo War. [5]