The morning after the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the apocalypse descends upon the Congo. On the slopes of the volcanoes and along the shores of the great lakes, in the savannas, jungles, and swamps, the people rise up, attacking the authority supported by the white mercenaries of Colonel Cermiers and threatening the mines of Maniema, where the most fantastic treasures of gold, diamonds, and uranium in the world are located. Two men give unity, purpose, and strength to these chaotic rebellions, forging deeply hostile tribes into an army. The most contradictory passions—self-sacrifice, love, hatred, and unbridled hope—animate the women and men of the rebel army. However, between the armed trade unionist and humanist Thomas Lusangi and the dogmatic revolutionary Malcolm Santos from the Caribbean, who fight together, there is a divergence in means and motives.