Kongo / Manikongo Álvaro VIII Mvemba a Mpanzu (King Álvaro VIII)

Álvaro VIII (Mvemba a Mpanzu), of the House of Kinlaza, was king of the Kingdom of Congo, from 1666 to 1669.

Álvaro VIII was elevated to the throne by Paulo da Silva, Count of Soyo, who marched on São Salvador and killed his predecessor, King Álvaro VII.

In 1667, he sent his ambassador, Anastasius, to Luanda (Angola), to negotiate a treaty that ceded to the Portugueses the right to exploit the mines of Congo, located in the provinces of Mbamba and Mpemba. Theodosius, Duke of Mbamba, bowed to the king's decision, but Peter, Duke of Mbemba, refused.

Leading a small army, Peter attacked Mbamba, killed Theodosius and then invaded the kingdom's capital, São Salvador, killing Álvaro VIII and proclaimed himself king under the name of Peter III.