Joseph-Désiré Mobutu, later known as Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga, was born on October 14, 1930, in Lisala, northern Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). After his father’s death, he was raised by his mother and later joined the Force Publique, the colonial army of Belgium, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant.
Following Congo’s independence in 1960, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the army, a position that paved the way for his entry into national politics.
After independence, Congo was engulfed in political turmoil between Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba and President Joseph Kasavubu. On September 14, 1960, Mobutu led a coup with the backing of Belgium and the United States, removing Lumumba from power. Lumumba was later arrested and executed in 1961.
In 1965, Mobutu staged another coup, ousting President Kasavubu and consolidating his power as the country’s supreme leader.
Upon taking control, Mobutu adopted two key policies:
Despite these initiatives, his regime became notorious for corruption and autocracy. He amassed vast personal wealth, with estimates suggesting he embezzled over $5 billion from state funds.
By the 1990s, Mobutu’s grip on power weakened. In 1997, a rebellion led by Laurent-Désiré Kabila, with support from Rwanda and Uganda, overran the country.
As rebel forces advanced on Kinshasa, Mobutu fled, first to Togo and later to Morocco, where he died of cancer on September 7, 1997.
Mobutu's rule showcased the challenges of post-colonial African leadership, where Western-backed strongmen often prioritized personal power over national development. His fall serves as a cautionary tale on the consequences of authoritarianism, corruption, and economic mismanagement.
Today, his legacy remains a stark reminder of the fragile balance between power and accountability in governance.
