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As the time for independence approached there were in the Congo no fewer than 120 political parties, or approximately eight for each university graduate.

There were four principal ones.

First, there were those Congolese ( among them Joseph Kasavubu ) who favored splitting the country into small independent states, Balkanizing it.

Second, there were those ( Moise Tshombe ) who favored near-Balkanization, a loose federalism having a central government of limited authority, with much power residing in the states.

Third, there were those ( notably Patrice Lumumba ) who favored a unified Congo with a very strong central government.

And fourth, there were moderates who were in no hurry for independence and wished to wait until the Congo grew up.

However, the positions of all parties and leaders were constantly shifting.