[1] In the early 20th century Bena Dibele was a military station under the command of a sous-officier of a Belgian cavalry regiment, assisted by a young civilian.

There were about forty native soldiers stationed at the post, which served as a collection point for rubber brought in by the local people in payment of taxes.

There were very extensive government rubber plantations under the control of a white official about 3 miles (4.8 km) upstream from Dibele.

During the Second Congo War (1998-2003) the town was cut off as all river traffic was halted from December 1998, and the local economy was crippled since farmers could not sell their produce.

It was coordinated by Caritas Congo, required permission from both the government and the Rwanda-backed RCD Goma armed opposition, and took almost three weeks to travel the 1,300 kilometres (810 mi) from Kinshasa under United Nations escort.