What caused instability in the Kongo kingdom?

Instability in the Kongo Kingdom was primarily caused by internal power struggles among its leaders, particularly following the death of King Afonso I in the early 18th century. The introduction of European slave trading disrupted traditional economies and social structures, leading to conflicts over control of trade and resources. Additionally, external pressures from neighboring kingdoms and European colonial interests further exacerbated internal divisions, contributing to the kingdom's decline. These factors combined to weaken the central authority and ultimately destabilize the Kongo Kingdom.