ZAIRE events since 1960
Socialist Press1977 1977-04-27Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 2 →
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1960 The Republic of the Congo gains independence from Belgium. Kasayubu President, Patrice Lumumba Prime Minister, (cacked by the USSR), Gizenga, deputy Prime Minister.
Belgian troops support secessionist movement in Katanga province under Moise Tshombe. Lumumba calls in UN troops; Belgians leave. Lumumba overthrown and arrested by Army Chief Mobutu who imposes temporary military rule. 1961 Lumumba murdered, probably with CIA involvement. Gizenga sets up anti-Kasavubu temporary government in Stanleyville, later rejoins new constitutional central government. 1962 Gizenga arrested. Government and UN troops take Stanleyville. 1963 UN troops defeat Katanga secession. 1964 Tshombe forms government of "national unity" '. Beigian/American military intervention defeats new secession in Stanleyville. 1965 Tshombe dismissed by Kasavubu who is then overthrown in a military coup by Mobutu. 1966 Mobutu becomes personal dictator. Later forms People's Revolutionary Movement (MRP) to back him. 1966-74 Mobutu rules through police state methods, backs imperialist actions in Africa, has close links with the CIA. 1974 'Mobutuism" , the cult of personality, begins. 1975 New legislative elections. No ballot boxes, elections by "more democratic method" of acclamation at public meetings. MRP wins 244 seats out of 244! Major economic crisis. Zaire defaults on international debts. "Zaireanised" firms handed back to foreign capitalists.