Zaire
Sign in to saveZaïre, officially the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1965 to 1971 and Republic of Zaïre from 1971, was a country in Central Africa headed by Mobutu Sese Seko from 1965 to 1997. It was, by area, the third-largest country in Africa after Sudan and Algeria, and the 11th-largest country in the world from 1965 to 1991. With a population of over 23 million, Zaïre was the most populous Francophone country in Africa. Zaïre was strategically important to the West during the Cold War, particularly the U.S., as a counterbalance to Soviet influence in Africa. The U.S. and its allies supported the M
AI overview
Zaire was a large Central African country ruled by Mobutu Sese Seko from 1965 to 1997, notable for being Africa's most populous French-speaking nation and strategically important to Western powers during the Cold War. The country, which was the third-largest in Africa by area, eventually became the Democratic Republic of the Congo after Mobutu's regime fell in 1997.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- Country.conventional_long_name
- Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of Zaire
- Country.common_name
- Zaire
- Country.era
- Cold War
- Country.title_deputy
- Prime Minister
- Country.year_deputy1
- 1965–1966
- Country.deputy1
- Léonard Mulamba (first)
- Country.year_deputy2
- 1977–1979
- Country.deputy2
- Mpinga Kasenda (second)
- Country.year_deputy3
- 1997
- Country.deputy3
- Likulia Bolongo (last)
- Country.event_start
- Coup d'état
- Country.year_start
- 1965
Article
19 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- History
- Mobutu
- Constitutional changes
- Totalitarian expansion
- Centralisation of power
- Growing conflict
- First Congo War and demise of Zaïre
- Legacy
- Government and politics
- Mobutism
- Administrative divisions
- Economy
- Culture
- Standards and abbreviations
- Notes
- References
- Works cited
- Further reading and external links
Zaïre, officially the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1965 to 1971 and Republic of Zaïre from 1971, was a country in Central Africa headed by Mobutu Sese Seko from 1965 to 1997. It was, by area, the third-largest country in Africa after Sudan and Algeria, and the 11th-largest country in the world from 1965 to 1991. With a population of over 23 million, Zaïre was the most populous Francophone country in Africa. Zaïre was strategically important to the West during the Cold War, particularly the U.S., as a counterbalance to Soviet influence in Africa. The U.S. and its allies supported the Mobutu regime with military and economic aid to prevent the spread of communism which made it a key player for U.S. involvement in Africa.
The country was a one-party totalitarian and authoritarian military dictatorship, run by Mobutu Sese Seko and his Popular Movement of the Revolution. Mobutu seized power in a military coup in 1965, after five years of political upheaval following independence from Belgium known as the Congo Crisis. Zaïre had a strongly centralist constitution, and foreign assets were nationalized. The period is sometimes referred to as the Second Congolese Republic.
Gallery (21)
Connections
Categories
1971 establishments in Zaire1997 disestablishments in AfricaCoups d'état in the Democratic Republic of the CongoFormer countries in AfricaFormer military dictatorshipsFormer one-party statesSource attributionStates and territories disestablished in 1997States and territories established in 1971Totalitarian statesZaire