Mobutu Sese Seko's Regime (1965–1997)

1. Mobutu seizes power in bloodless coup

   Nov 24, 1965Labels: Joseph Mobutu, Congo DRC, 1965 coup

   • Britannica
   • ACP

2. MPR ideology defined in Manifesto of N’sele

   May 1, 1967Labels: MPR, Manifesto of, Authenticit

   • Manifesto
   • Elections DRC

3. Single-candidate election confirms Mobutu in office

   Nov 1, 1970Labels: Single-candidate election, Mobutu, MPR

   • 1970 Election
   • Elections DRC

4. Country renamed Zaire under “Authenticité” policy

   Oct 27, 1971Labels: Zaire, Authenticit, Mobutu

   • BBC Timeline
   • DRC Overview

5. New constitution formalizes highly centralized presidential rule

   Aug 15, 1974Labels: 1974 Constitution, Presidency, Centralization

   • Zaire
   • 1977 Election

6. Shaba I invasion exposes weaknesses in Zaire’s army

   Mar 8, 1977Labels: Shaba I, FNLC, Zairian Army

   • Shaba I
   • Mobutu

7. Shaba II and Kolwezi crisis trigger foreign intervention

   May 11, 1978Labels: Shaba II, Kolwezi, Foreign intervention

   • Shaba II
   • Operation L opard

8. Mobutu announces end of one-party rule

   Apr 24, 1990Labels: Political liberalization, Mobutu, Multiparty shift

   • UPI
   • HRW 1997

9. Sovereign National Conference opens amid reform demands

   Aug 7, 1991Labels: Sovereign National, Opposition, Civil society

   • HRW 1993
   • HRW 1997

10. Kinshasa “March of Hope” is violently repressed

    Feb 16, 1992Labels: March of, Kinshasa, Security forces

    • USDOS 1992
    • HRW 1993

11. First Congo War begins as rebellion expands in east

    Oct 24, 1996Labels: First Congo, AFDL, Eastern rebellion

    • First Congo War
    • South Kivu

12. Mobutu flees; Kabila takes Kinshasa

    May 20, 1997Labels: Mobutu exile, Laurent Kabila, Kinshasa takeover

    • CFR Timeline
    • Britannica