biography
| name: |
Mobutu, Sese Seko
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| |
originally Joseph Désiré Mobutu
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pronunciation:
[mobootoo]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1930–97)
|
| biography:
| Zairean politician and president (1965–97), born in Lisala, N Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire, and earlier, Belgian Congo). He worked as a journalist in the Belgian colonial army, becoming a sergeant-major, and in 1958 joined Lumumba's Congolese National Movement Party. In 1960, immediately after independence, the government in Leopoldville was so indecisive in its dealings with dissidents in Katanga province that Mobutu stepped in and took over, five months later handing back power to the civilian government. After the civil war of 1963–5 he again took over, but this time retained power. As president, with a new constitution and a new name for his country, he adopted a new name for himself and the rank of marshal. His regime was harsh and highly personalized. He was re-elected president in 1984, and elections scheduled for 1991 were postponed. He was forced to stand down in May 1997 following an uprising led by Laurent Kabila. |
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