Laurent-Désiré Kabila, a former ally of various rebel forces, led his troops into Kinshasa after a series of armed conflicts that had been escalating throughout the 1990s. His march into the capital on this day signified the culmination of a rebellion that started in 1996 against the longstanding dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, who had ruled Zaire for over three decades. As Kabila's forces took control, the atmosphere in Kinshasa was charged with emotion, as the populace reacted to the sudden shift in power dynamics.

Upon entering the capital, Kabila declared that Zaire would henceforth be known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, instantly changing the name of the nation that had been associated with corruption and economic decline under Mobutu's rule. This moment was emblematic of a broader regional phenomenon where colonial-era boundaries and names were being reassessed amidst rising nationalist sentiments. Kabila's rise to power was supported by significant popular discontent with Mobutu's authoritarian regime, and he was viewed by many as a liberator who promised reform and renewal.

However, Kabila's leadership would invite its own challenges and complexities as he struggled to unify various factions within the country. The hope for peace and improved governance was quickly overshadowed by the realities of political instability and conflict that continued to impact the region. This shift marked the beginning of a new chapter in Congolese history, highlighting the fragility of power and governance in post-colonial Africa.