Democratic Republic of Congo History
HISTORY: THE DICTATORSHIP OF MOBUTO AND THE REPUBLIC OF ZAIRE Mobutu was officially elected president in 1970 and established a strongly authoritarian regime. In 1971 the Democratic Republic of the Congo took the name of the Republic of Zaire. During the Angolan civil war (1975-76), the country assumed an ambiguous position, hosting and favoring the faction led by Holden Roberto (Mobutu's relative). In early 1977, the government faced an uprising, backed by foreign mercenaries, in Shaba province. L ' Angola she was accused of having fomented the unrest and the situation between the two countries became tense. The revolt was suppressed and in 1978 there was reconciliation between Angola and the then Republic of Zaire. The internal situation, however, remained difficult and uncertain, in particular due to the precarious economic…