About
Mobutu Sese Seko, born Joseph-Désiré Mobutu in 1930 in the Belgian Congo, was president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, renamed Zaire, from 1965 to 1997. After a career in the army and journalism, he participated in the country's independence in 1960. He seized power in a coup in 1965 and established a one-party authoritarian regime. His authenticity policy renamed the country and himself. His regime, marked by corruption and repression, collapsed in 1997 during a rebellion backed by neighboring countries.
* 1930-10-14 — † 1997-09-07
Key milestones
- 1965Seizes power in a coup on November 25, ousting President Kasavubu.
- 1971Renames the country Republic of Zaire in October.
- 1997Flees Kinshasa on May 16 after the advance of Laurent Kabila's rebellion, ending 32 years of rule.
Themes
AuthoritarianismAuthenticityCorruptionNationalismCold War
Sources: britannica.com · id.loc.gov