lb) if.)
Scse Seko (Phonetic: moBOOtoo)
President (since
Addressed as: Mr. President or Citizen President
adv rsiiy" KeEaraeaation that had been
unity by suppressing ethnic and regional animosities and by adopting an autocratic and highly personalized leadership style. He tightly controls the Cabinet and Other executive agencies, particularly the military establishment, and keeps close tabs on all political activity as president-founder of the Popular Movement of the Revolution, Zaire's only legal political party.
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ForeignEconomic Policy
Throughout his presidency, Mobutu hasro*Western course.
The President has played an active role on selected African issues, sending troops to reinforce the anti-Libyan government in Chad, andegotiated solution to the civil war in Angola. He has alsoid for regional leadership by advocating the creationeague of black African states, but theba* largely fallen on deaf ears.
Mobutu has bad many serious disagreements with the IMF. the IBRD, and foreign creditors on economic stabilization and recovery programs designed to copeteadily deteriorating cconomy.|
nc mis songm ccut lUTgitrncss arm isew
lence-mending cycle with the IMr and IBRD.!
Career and Personal Data
Mobutu was born on0 in Lisala, Equateur Region, the area fromdraws most of his closest associates. After completing hts secondary education, hethe Institute of Social Studies in Brussels. He then returned home to enlist in thearmy. At independencee became chief of staff of the new Nationalseized power later that year to restore order, placing the country under militaryoutlawing all political activity; he then relinquished power and returned to hisMobutu forcibly regained powereld electionsnd is in hisseven-year term. Late last year, heyear tenure as Ministerbut he entrusted the portfolio to one of his closest subordinates, thus ensuring
Mobutuommanding presence and is an articulate, forceful orator. He holds the military rank of marshal. Christened Joseph-Desire Mobutu, the President changed his name during one or the Africanization campaigns that he initiated in the. He prefers to be addressed as "Citizenhe result of another Africanization campaign.l
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