1/27/13 Congo (1967-2013) Claude
Mobutu Sese Seke
Mobutu established a presidential form of government which was headed by him in 1967. Although he established a form of government, the constitution did not come into force until 1970 because he wasn’t old enough to become a president. In 1971, Mobutu changed the nation’s name to Zaire. Citizens of the nation had to change their Christian names into other names and place names were also Africanized. Mobutu established a one-party state and a belief of personality when Mobutu had lots of power. Later on, he became very lucky due to economic exploitation and corruption. The country suffered from uncontrolled inflation or a huge debt. When the economic deterioration and unrest led him to agree in sharing power with opponent leaders, he used the army to thwart change until May, 1997. This was the time when Laurent Kabila’s rebel forces expelled Mobutu from the nation. In conclusion, Mobutu died in Morocco.
Patrice Lumumba
Joseph Mobutu who was the Congolese army leader handed Lumumba over to his executioners. When this occurred, there was a thirty-two year dictatorship which was legendary for its corruption and greed. After Joseph’s death, Lumumba changed into a harmless person of African liberation and third world politics. Peck’s film Lumumba portrays the new Congolese prime minister as isolated, trapped in a set of political conspiracies that he cannot escape. Peck kept saying that he made the film to present Lumumba’s story to African audience. He presented all of the forces against the national prime minister. The murder of Lumumba was part of a political process that unfolded throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Mobutu was overthrown in 1997.
27, Jan, 13, Infoplease.com,
http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/people/mobutu-sese-seko.html
27, Jan, 2013, wsws.org,
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2002/01/lumu-j16.html