SUMMARY

The Teke, or Bateke are a Bantu people located mainly on the Bateke Plateau (Plateau of the Teke), which covers modern-day Gabon, the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They have been involved in UCDP's non-state violence category in the conflict between the Teke-Yaka.

The Teke ruled the Kingdom of Anzico (the European name for the Teke) from the 14th century and were known as traders and metalworkers. They were severely affected by colonization and were among the groups brutally repressed during the Tax War between 1913 and 1920. This led many to flee the plains and seek refuge in the forests east of Mount Chaillu. The Teke were estimated to have lost nine-tenths of their population due to colonial violence, famine, and disease.

More recently, the Teke have been involved in a non-state conflict with the Yaka, which began in Kwamouth Territory, Mai-Ndombe Province, in late 2022, following earlier tensions in 2021. Considered the original landowners, the Teke rented out their land to ‘non-native’ farmers, mainly from the Yaka ethnic group, as well as the Suku, Mbala and Songe peoples.

However, as the Teke demanded increasingly higher taxes and employed forceful collection methods, sometimes involving the assistance of the military forces of the Government of DR Congo (Zaire), tensions grew, deepening mistrust between the Teke and the Yaka. These tensions culminated in violence on the 9 June 2022, and were followed by a period of retaliatory violence between the groups.

Teke villagers participated in the first phase of the conflict, attacking Yaka residents, looting shops and houses, and setting up checkpoints against the ‘enemy’. But they were quickly overpowered by the involvement of the Yaka-affiliated Mobondo militia. Teke civilians and those perceived as having ties to them were particularly targeted in the violence. The conflict continued until March 2024, when both parties reached a customary peace agreement that ended the violence.

The Teke are governed by a king, referred to as the Makoko or Mikoko, who is based in the Teke capital, Mbé, located north of Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. He is considered the cultural, moral, and spiritual guide of the Teke people. Under the King are twelve notables who are responsible for different regions of the Bateke territory, extending across current state borders.