Mobutu, Sese Soko Kuku Ngbendu Wa Za Banga

(b. Lisala, Belgian Congo, 14 Oct. 1930; d. 7 Sept. 1997) Zairean; head of state 1960, 1965 – 97 A Bengala from northern Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), Joseph Desire Mobutu (as he was then called) joined the Belgian colonial army direct from secondary school. An ally initially of Patrice Lumumba, he was appointed army Chief of Staff at independence in June 1960 and Commander-in-Chief in September, launching his first coup d'état against his former patron a few days later. At this point he returned power to civilian politicians, but after a further coup in 1965 he installed himself as President.

In his first few years, Mobutu succeeded in imposing some order on the chaos of Congo/Zairean politics, and gained the support especially of the United States. In 1967, he created a notional political party, the MPR. He proved adept at manœuvring between different domestic groups and external patrons, launching a campaign of "African authenticity" in 1970, in the course of which he changed his own name and that of the country (from Congo to Zaire), and contested the power of the Catholic church. In 1977 and 1978, opposition groups invaded the Shaba (formerly Katanga) region from Angola, and by playing on the danger of a Communist takeover Mobutu was able to gain essential military support from Western states, especially France and Belgium. At other times, relations with Belgium were poor.

Under Mobutu, Zaire became possibly the most corruptly run state in the world, and reports of his wealth ran to massive figures. In 1990, following riots and external pressure, he promised political reform, but was able to stay in power through manœuvre, repression, and a measure of continuing international support until May 1997, when he was ousted by a guerrilla insurgency led by Laurent Kabila; the name of the country was then changed back to Congo.