← Explore on the interactive map

Kongo Civil War (1630s)

Type Event Region Central Africa Time 1631–1641

In the 1630s the Kingdom of Kongo was mired in a succession crisis and noble factional struggles, with Álvaro IV (r.…

Timeline

  1. 1631–1636Mbanza Kongo (São Salvador) · Central AfricaÁlvaro IV took the throne with the support of a noble coalition, but power struggles between the Kinlaza and Kimpanzu families continued, with provincial governors seizing the opportunity to expand autonomy and seriously challenging royal authority.
  2. 1636–1641Mbanza Kongo (São Salvador) · Central AfricaAfter Álvaro IV's death in 1636, Álvaro V and Álvaro VI each briefly held power through coups, with the throne changing hands several times within months. The disorder only began to stabilize when Garcia II established his rule in 1641.

Sources