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On August 26, 1998, Rwandan soldiers, together with real and “fake” Congolese rebels, set out to conquer Kinshasa. They were defeated a few days later, with the help of the population. In a state of extreme excitement, the population gave themselves over to acts of terrible violence, fed by anti-Tutsi sentiments. Clever political entrepreneurs took advantage of the situation. With their “victory,” the people discovered, or believed to have discovered, a new Kabila, a leader worthy of their support.