Mobutu Sese Seko

Mobutu Sese Seko Nkuku wa za Banga (or Mobutu Sese Seko Koko Ngbendu Wa Za Banga; October 14, 1930 – September 7, 1997) was the President of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) for 32 years (1965 – 1997).

Early years

Mobutu was born Joseph-Désiré Mobutu in Lisala, Belgian Congo. He joined the Force Publique, the Belgian Protestant Congolese army in 1949, rising to the rank of Sergeant Major. He left in 1956 and worked as a journalist and then newspaper editor. In 1958 he joined the nationalist Mouvement National Congolais (MNC). Following the granting of independence on June 30, 1960, he joined the new government as Secretary of the State for Defense. The new government was a coalition between Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba and President Joseph Kasavubu, both of whom soon started to struggle for overall power - both attempting to dismiss the other from government. On September 14, 1960 a coup d'état overthrew Lumumba in support of Kasavubu. Colonel Mobutu was a key figure in the coup and was rewarded with rapid promotion. The popular US evangelist Pat Robertson became a friend while investing in diamond mines in Zaire.

Related Topics:
Lisala - Belgian Congo - 1949 - 1956 - 1958 - Mouvement National Congolais - June 30 - 1960 - Patrice Lumumba - Joseph Kasavubu - September 14 - Coup d'état - Pat Robertson - Zaire

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