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Mobutu Sese Seko

(1930—1997) African statesman


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(1930–97)

Zaïrean statesman, President (1970–97). After seizing power in a military coup (1965), he changed his original name (Joseph-Désiré Mobutu) as part of his policy of Africanizing names; in 1971 he changed the name of his country (until then and since 1997 known as the Democratic Republic of Congo) to Zaïre. He remained in power despite opposition from tribal groups and small farmers until he was deposed by rebels led by Laurent Kabila in 1997.

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