SUMMARY

Chokwe also known as Chowe, Chow, Tchokwe, Jokwe, Kioko, Bajokwe and Kibokwe was an ethnic group residing in the Kasaï Province of DR Congo and the province of Lunda Norte in Angola and nothwestern parts of Zambia. While Chokwe was the largest ethnic group in Luanda Norte they constituted a minority in Kasaï. As the situation in Kasaï deteriorated due the the DR Congo (Zaire) conflict with Kamuina Nsapu, Chokwe took up arms against Lulua-Luba population.

In Angola protesters tied to the Lunda Chokwe Protectorate Movement has demonstrated for an Independent United Kingdom of Lunda Chokwe located in eastern parts of Angola. In DR Congo the Chokwe was one of the many ethnic constituents in the Bana Mura militia.

Pende (Phende, Bapende, Pinji) was an ethnic group mainly residing in an area near the Loango and Kasai Rivers in the Idiofa and Gungu territories, Bandundu province, DR Congo (Zaire).

Approximately 1 000 000 people consider themselves to be ethnically Pende. The Pende speak their own Kipende language.

As the situation in Kasaï deteriorated due the the DR Congo (Zaire) conflict with Kamuina Nsapu, Pende took up arms against Lulua-Luba population. During the conflict the Pende created the Ecurie Mbembe (Mbembe Stable) militia to fight Kamuina Nsapu.