Mobutu Sese Seko - biography.

Mobutu Sese Seko - biography. President of Zaire Birth October 14, 1930 Death September 7, 1997 Place of Lisala, Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) Birth Political Popular Movement of the Revolution (MPR) Party Term 1965-1997 Known For Maintaining an authoritarian regime in Zaire for more than three decades, securing United States support by positioning Zaire as an opponent to the spread of Communism in Africa Instituting a policy of 'authenticity,' which demanded a rejection of European colonial influences and a return to traditional African clothing and personal names Milestones 1950 Was conscripted into the Congolese army after being expelled from school for disruptive behavior 1956-1958 Worked as a journalist for L'Avenir, a Léopoldville (now Kinshasa) newspaper 1960 Served as private secretary to Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba after independence was declared for the Republic of the Congo 1965 Seized control of the government, declaring himself president 1971 Renamed his country Zaire as part of a campaign for African 'authenticity' 1977-1978 Suppressed rebellions within Zaire, assisted by the United States and France 1990 Lost United States assistance to his regime due to humanitarian violations and the declining importance of stalling the spread of Communism in Africa 1997 Was overthrown by Laurent-Désiré Kabila Did You Zaire was renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo after Mobutu's overthrow in 1997. Know Mobutu's full assumed name, Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa za Banga, translates to 'the all-powerful warrior who, because of his endurance and inflexible will to win, will go from conquest to conquest leaving fire in his wake.' The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) supported Mobutu's efforts to overthrow Prime Minister Lumumba, who had Communist ties. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.