Mobutu Sese Seko Biography

Childhood & Early Life

Mobutu Sese Seko was born as Joseph-Desiré Mobutu on 14 October 1930 in Lisala, Belgian Congo, to Albéric Gbemani and Marie Madeleine Yemo. He had three siblings. His father worked as a cook for a Belgian judge, and his mother was a hotel maid. After his father’s death in 1938, he was raised by his grandfather and uncle. Mobutu received his earliest education in Léopoldville and then went to live with an uncle in Coquilhatville, where he studied in a Catholic-mission boarding school.

Early Career

Mobutu Sese Seko quit the army in 1956, when he was serving as a sergeant, to become a full-time journalist. He began writing extensively for the Léopoldville daily ‘L’Avenir’. Two years later, he went to Belgium to receive formal training in journalism. During his time in Belgium, he met Congolese intellectuals who were challenging colonial rule, which sparked his political ambitions. He became Patrice Lumumba’s personal aide after joining his party ‘Mouvement National Congolais’ (MNC). Lumumba appointed him as the Secretary of State to the Presidency when his government came to power.

Rise to Power

On June 30, 1960, Congo became independent, and Mobutu became the army chief of staff under Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba. In September 1960, Mobutu led a military coup that overthrew Lumumba and made Joseph Kasavubu the leader. Mobutu was promoted to the position of major general in early 1961. The CIA and the Belgian government believed that Kasavubu and Mobutu would be more “pliable” in power. In 1965, Mobutu led a coup against Kasavubu, seized power, and declared himself a dictator. He banned all political parties and formed his own party, the Popular Movement of the Revolution.

As a Dictator

In 1971, Mobutu renamed the country the Republic of Zaire and renamed himself ‘Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Nbendu Wa Za Banga’. He established a cult of personality, releasing currencies, postal stamps, and posters with his pictures. He practiced nepotism and handed over foreign-owned firms to his relatives. His regime brutally suppressed uprisings, and anyone who challenged him was publicly executed. Mobutu launched centralized economic projects and formed the National Union of Zairian Workers.

Major Challenges

Mobutu’s military rule faced two major revolts in 1977 and 1978. He was able to suppress the coups with aid from France, Belgium, and the US. With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989, Mobutu lost western support, and Congo’s economic problems and political disturbances worsened. Under pressure, he ended the ban on political parties. Between 1996 and 1997, rebels launched rebellions and took control of Kinshasa, the capital. Mobutu fled to Morocco, where he died on September 7, 1997.

Awards & Achievements

Mobutu Sese Seko’s life and regime have been the subject of books, documentaries, and films. His son-in-law Pierre Janssen wrote a book called ‘A la cour de Mobutu’, and his personal physician William Close wrote ‘Beyond the Storm: Treating the Powerless & the Powerful in Mobutu’s Congo/Zaire’. He was also featured in documentaries such as ‘Mobutu, King of Zaire’ and ‘When We Were Kings’, as well as in the novel ‘The Poisonwood Bible’ and the feature film ‘Lumumba’.

Family & Personal Life

Mobutu Sese Seko had multiple wives and at least 21 children. His first wife, Marie-Antoinette Mobutu, died in 1977. He married his mistress Bobi Ladawa in 1980. His son Nzanga Mobutu Ngbangawe now heads the family and served as a minister in the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Trivia

Mobutu Sese Seko spent a large sum of money on the boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in 1974. He had a fascination with flying to Paris via the Concorde for shopping. His new name, Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu Wa Za Banga, means “an all-powerful warrior who will go from conquest to conquest and win them all due to his endurance and unwavering will to win.” He also wore a leopard skin hat as the head of state.