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Paper Abstract: Corruption of President Mobutu in context of military & economic support from U.S. & France. Paper Introduction: Zaire has the potential to be a very wealthy nation, but today it is one of the poorest countries on the African continent. Mobutu Sese Seko has been the president of Zaire since the 1965 coup that first brought him into power. Mobutu's regime has been characterized as being corrupt and poorly managed. As a result of these problems, Zaire currently exists in a severe state of underdevelopment. This is ironic, because Zaire possesses some of the richest mineral deposits in Africa. Because of Mobutu's mismanagement of his country, there is every reason for his regime to collapse. The fact that it has not collapsed can be attributed to the external support that Mobutu has received throughout his reign (Callaghy 204). In particular, Mobutu has been able to remain in power because of the military and economic support that he has received from France and the Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. Suddenly, the economic situation in Zaire became even worse. WithLumumba in exile, Western politicians were faced with a serious choice interms of further intervention in Zaire. foreign policy in theregion will probably continue to support Mobutu's regime. Thisoccurred mainly because of a severe decline in world copper prices. "Zaire, a Paradigm of Mismanagement." The NewYork Times, 4 February 1987, A8.Callaghy, Thomas M. Specifically, a choice had to bemade between "the vaguely radical Lumumba, and the proven 'anti-Communist'Mobutu" (Wright 9). MostWestern leaders remember the early 196 's as a time of great instability inZaire. "Zaire, the Manager's Nightmare: So MuchPotential, So Poorly Harnessed." The New York Times, 23 May 1988, A12.Hewitt, Adrian P. Following independence, PatriceLumumba was elected as the nation's first Prime Minister. The combined Western forces were soon able torecapture the Shaba region. Mobutu's corruption can be seen in the fact that he has amassed ahuge personal fortune at his country's expense. The primary concern in Westerninvestment has always been the mineral resources that are found in Zaire.The United States has played a particularly strong role in encouragingWestern investments in this area. New York: Pergamon Press, 198 .Gran, Guy. According to Greenhouse, such activitiesmight enable the country to become "self-sufficient in food and to reduceits heavy dependence on mining" (Greenhouse A12). During the 198 's, Mobutu strengthened his standing inthe West through meetings with both President Reagan in the United Statesand President Mitterand in France. Therefore, the United States governmentintervened by authorizing the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) "to engagein covert activities to counter communist activities in the country" (Bobb41). France takes a special interest in Zaire because itis surrounded by former French colonies which are vital to Western freetrade. The new business owners were inexperienced in managerial skills and, as aresult, most of the nation's businesses went under at that time. Zaire has the potential to be a very wealthy nation, but today it isone of the poorest countries on the African continent. The State-Society Struggle: Zaire in ComparativePerspective. Inthese elections, voters are told to use a green card if they are in favorof Mobutu and a red card if they are opposed to him. Because of their strategic interests in Zaire, various Westernnations have been influential in getting Mobutu in power and keeping himthere. Scott. Assuming that he does not turn against Westerninterests in the future, the Zairian policy in nations like the UnitedStates and France will probably remain the same as it has been since the196 's. Itwas at that time that Joseph Mobutu changed his own name to Mobutu SeseSeko. The purpose of this groupwas to gain complete political control of the country. leaders do not want to take a chance on losing thestability that Mobutu represents. The land ofZaire is rich in copper, cobalt, diamonds, and several other vitalminerals. In addition, there was the threat that a newgovernment leader in the nation might be hostile toward the West and thusblock access to the vital mineral resources which are found there. Specifically, briberyand robbery are commonplace because the people of the nation would not beable to survive without engaging in such activities. Thus, starting in the 197 's, the U.S.government established incentive programs for American banks in "offeringfinance for new projects" in Zaire (Meredith 343). LikeReagan, Mitterand realized that Mobutu provided stability in the region.Also like Reagan, Mitterand decided that this type of stability was moreimportant than the corruption and human rights abuses which were beingreported in Zaire. Although Mobutu's government is blatantly corrupt, the focus ofWestern foreign policy in Zaire has been on "perceived needs of securityand stability" (Gran 3 9). Ronald Reagan expressed his interest insupporting Mobutu because of "Zaire's strategic location, mineral wealth,and support for U.S. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1985.Wright, J.B. However, Western investors continue tosupport Mobutu because the complete collapse of the Zairian economy wouldresult in a complete loss of their investments. Mitterand, a socialist, was originally critical of Mobutu's selfishpolicies. The United States has also supportedZaire because of Mobutu's willingness to uphold Western policies in theregion. At thesame time, the nation was plagued by a steep increase in the price ofimported oil and grains (Meredith 345). Starting in 1979, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has maderegular agreements with the Zairian government for the rescheduling of thisdebt. To Western politicians, thisrepresented a split in loyalty. For example, a great deal of economic growth was experiencedduring the first few years of Mobutu's reign. As notedby Gould, Western investments have kept Mobutu in power because they have"helped provide the patron class with needed economic and financialassistance" (Gould 42). Senate hearing concluded thatthe former Prime Minister was murdered by local agents and that the CIA wasin no way connected "with the Congolese officials who assassinated Lumumba"(Goode 125). However, they have done very little in terms of stabilizing the nation'seconomy. Mobutu further asserted his egotism by turningZaire into an authoritarian state. Another reason for Western interest in Zaire is the fact thatthe nation is strategically located in the central region of Africa.Because of its location, Western politicians consider it important thatZaire be kept out of enemy hands. Jocelyn Murray, ed. However, it has been noted that"American and French influence with Morocco was crucial in the use of itsforces" (Callaghy 2 7). The country has an incredibly high infantmortality rate, and visitors are warned to be careful of the streetrobberies which occur on a day-to-day basis. For example,Rosenblum and Williamson have complained about the West's strict emphasison Zairian stability and its subsequent lack of concern "over what a tyrantdoes within his borders" (Rosenblum and Williamson 113). This wasthe reason for the CIA and other Western agencies becoming involved inZaire in the first place. Thus, theFrench government helped build the $1 billion Voix du Zaire complex whichis used for official television and radio broadcasts in the nation (Bobb88). Mobutu has played off the fears of the West by doing "everythingpossible to foster the belief that the only alternative to his regime is areturn to the confusion, and dangers to Western interests, of that time"(Wright 16). policies in the region" (Bobb 221). In addition, the early years of the Mobutureign saw a collapse in the nation's road system (Brooke A8). The full African title adopted by Mobutu shows a certain amount ofegotism. Mobutu is basically an inept leader andthe way he has abused his own people should have driven him out of power bynow. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1987.Ungar, Sanford J. In the United States, for example, the most vital interest is tomaintain "friendship" with Zaire and to not let the country "fall intohostile hands" (Ungar 364). The economic problemswhich have developed during Mobutu's reign have resulted in Zaire having anastounding international debt. Theprimary reason that these leaders are willing to give Mobutu continuedsupport is the fact that he represents stability in the central Africanregion. The economics ofthe nation are marked by low wages and periodic drops in the gross nationalproduct. Historical Dictionary of Zaire. Despite this assistance, the economic situation in Zaire todayappears hopeless. Of course, this approach to foreign policy hasreceived harsh criticism from certain Western analysts. Between the early196 's and the early 198 's, for example, the United States providedgrants, loans, and concessionary sales to Zaire in amounts equallingapproximately $1 billion (Gould 41). The record clearly showsthat U.S. This, in turn, was seen as being a potential threatto Western strategic interests. The lack of food in the country wascompounded by a series of transportation problems that also begandeveloping in the 197 's. foreign assistance to Zairewas "running at $7 million a year" (Rosenblum and Williamson 112). Mobutu'saction caused a permanent disruption in the nation's economy "byprecipitating the flight of the controlling foreign capital and personnel"(Yoder 167). Perhaps the most important Westerninterest is the mineral resources which are located there. Despite this, another invasion by FNLC forcesoccurred in May, 1978. For example, foreignassistance intended for developmental aid has often found its way intoMobutu's personal accounts instead. The CIA. A few years later, Mobutu realized his mistake and tried toget the European businessmen to return. For example,it has been reported that "mock elections" are usually held in Zaire. In 1982, Zaire was given theimportant position of hosting the Franco-African summit which is sponsoredeach year by the French government (Bobb 87). Since that time, the Western nations have become increasinglyinvolved in providing financial assistance to Zaire. Within two months, Lumumba wasassassinated while being held prisoner in the Katanga province. However, the economicsituation, as well as political and social conditions, began to decline inthe early 197 's when Mobutu decided to "centralize and personalize hispower" (Hewitt 26 ). The debauchery of Zaire's president can be foundthroughout every level of the nation's government. Western support has been essential in maintaining the Mobutu regimeover the years. The executive leaders in the United States and France have ignoredthe fact that Mobutu has embezzled billions of dollars and has violatedhuman rights in his own country. Normally, problems such asthese would result in the government's leader being forced out of office.However, this has not been the case with Mobutu Sese Seko. "Zaire." Cultural Atlas of Africa. During the unstable period of the early 196 's, Mobutu formed apolitical organization known as the Binza Group. Therefore, the people of Zaire live indire poverty and the nation as a whole suffers from a severe internationaldebt. TheUnited States, as well as France, has provided a great deal of militaryassistance to Mobutu's regime as well. Forthis reason, the leaders of the United States and France decided to sendtheir own troops into Zaire with the purpose of keeping Mobutu in power.The United States provided military equipment and aircraft, as well asproviding strategic advice. Although Zaire has aforeign debt of more than $5 billion, "estimates of Mobutu's fortune runupwards of $2 billion to more than twice that" (Kestin 1 ). Soon after that, Moise Tshombe, the governor of the Katangaprovince, led his people in an effort to secede from the nation. It is interesting to note that Mobutu would probably nothave had a chance for success during his early reign if it had not been forexternal support. New York: Columbia University Press, 1984.Ekpebu, Lawrence B. New York: Facts on File Publications, 1982, 165-169.----------------------- 18 At first, Mobutu's new government showed signs of being a potentialsuccess. Metuchen, N.J.: The Scarecrow Press, 1988.Brooke, James. Because local agriculture was notbeing developed, Zaire was forced to import most of its food needs. "God and Man in Zaire." Forbes, 18 November 1985, 1 -11 .Meredith, Martin. For example, bribery iscommonplace among government officials and the police. In order to make it difficult for rebels tofight against him, Mobutu allowed many of the major railroad lines in thecountry to be closed down. France also provided military equipment, aswell as paratroopers. New York: Harper and Row, 1984.Rosenblum, Mort, and Doug Williamson. Mobutu has alsobeen careful to agree with the most important aspects of Western policy.In addition to his anti-communist perspective, Mobutu has shown agreementwith the West on regional issues in such locations as Libya, Angola andIsrael. However, at this point in time, it isvery unlikely that the Western powers will do anything drastic to removeMobutu from power. The economic problems in Zaire haveresulted in social disorder throughout the nation. A U.S. Squandering Eden: Africa at the Edge. However, the French leader was later willing to "accommodate hisviews to the realities of French interests in Zaire" (Wright 9). In particular,Mobutu has received a great deal of assistance from Western nations such asthe United States and France. Many Western analystshave urged greater emphasis on the promotion of local agriculture and therebuilding of roads in Zaire. They have turned their backs on theseproblems and have continued to supply economic and military assistance.Although this type of assistance has kept Mobutu in power, it has donealmost nothing to improve the horrible social conditions of the Zairianpeople themselves. BeforeMobutu had taken power, the nation had had no problems with providing forits own food needs. Mobutu is one of the most corruptleaders that Africa has ever seen. This is primarily due to the fact that the majority of the moneyis used simply to keep Mobutu and other Zairian officials rich. Shaba is the name of the region which wasformerly known as the province of Katanga. He had very little experience in politics at that time,and his daring coup came about "only because of the active encouragement ofthe American Central Intelligence Agency and the connivance of the UnitedNations" (Meredith 342). This is ironic, because Zaire possessessome of the richest mineral deposits in Africa. The only reasonfor Mobutu's continuing rulership in Zaire is the fact that externalintervention has allowed his regime to stay in power. As a result, the first few yearsof Zaire's independence were marked by a crisis in political instabilitywhich the West has never forgotten. Belgium has some ofthe strongest economic connections to the country, and a large percentageof Zaire's foreign trade takes place with that nation. Cambridge: CambridgeUniversity Press, 1981, 26 -261.Kestin, Hesh. At that time, Colonel Joseph Mobutu, Chief of Staff ofthe Congolese Army, seized power in a surprise coup (Goode 124). Without an adequate transportationsystem, Zaire has difficulty importing food and other essential importseven when it has the financial resources to do so. Because of Mobutu'smismanagement of his country, there is every reason for his regime tocollapse. Zaire Since Independence. Because localagricultural needs are ignored, the nation must import most of its food.The ever-increasing costs of food imports have driven most of Zaire'spopulation into starvation. Thus, in the years leading up to the 1965coup, the United States provided Mobutu with "large sums of money, arms,military equipment, aircraft and mercenaries to stem the tide ofnationalist forces" (Ekpebu 167). Mobutu Sese Sekohas been the president of Zaire since the 1965 coup that first brought himinto power. In comparison to the otherWestern nations, the assistance of the United States in carrying out thecoup was particularly strong. Administrative leaders in both the United Statesand France have been influential in maintaining the Mobutu government. Thus, the full name Mobutu Sese Seko Koko Ngbendu wa za Bangatranslates as: "The all powerful warrior who, because of his endurance andinflexible will to win, will go from conquest to conquest leaving fire inhis wake" (Brooke A8). Other sourcessuggest that Mobutu's personal worth is well over $5 billion (Brooke A8).Most of this money was gained through corrupt means. In the early 196 's, there was fear among Western leaders thatthe Soviet Union might establish a communist government there. The ongoing problems in the nation are clearly due toMobutu's corruption and the mismanagement of his government. The extent of Mobutu's ability to forge diplomaticrelations with France can be seen in the fact that Zaire has become a keymember of the "Francophone African nations." These are the nations ofcentral Africa which were formerly aligned with colonial France. Specifically, Mobutu has expressed an anti-communist stance andhas indicated a willingness to pursue containment of Soviet influence onthe African continent. In September, 196 , a new development occurred in the politicalsituation of Zaire. Ibadan, Nigeria: Ibadan University Press, 1989.Goode, Stephen. Often, the efforts of Congress areovercome by "House-Senate conference committees or Executive Branchmaneuvers" (Ungar 362). However, the colonial legacy had left Zaireunprepared for its sudden independence. If Mobutu were removed from office, there areno guarantees that the next government leader will be as cooperative.Therefore, U.S. However, by then it was too lateand the damage had already been done. France has also provided specialsupport to Zaire in terms of telecommunications development. On his own, Mobutu would have foundit extremely difficult, if not impossible, to repel this invasion. "Zaire." The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Africa.Roland Oliver and Michael Crowder, eds. In order to insure stability and to protect Western investments inZaire, Western powers became involved in the Shaba rebellions whichoccurred in the late 197 's. For the samereasons, external intervention from other Western nations will probablycontinue into the future as well. For example, many members of the U.S. The West continues to support Mobutu because the nation is seenas being strategically important and because Western backers do not wish tolose what they've already invested. The external support of Mobutu has created anenvironment in which he has been able to focus on external issues ratherthan necessary domestic issues. "Development Versus the World System: International AidActivities in Zaire." Zaire: The Political Economy of Underdevelopment.Guy Gran, ed. Mobutu has skillfully ensured hisvalue to the West through political actions both on the African continentand on the international level. They arestill a vital part of France's foreign trade. At the time,Mobutu was too busy working on his own personal power and wealth to doanything about this vital problem. Africa: The People and Politics of an EmergingContinent. Mobutu's regime has been characterized as being corrupt andpoorly managed. Western critics have claimed that this action was primarily intendedto benefit Mobutu and his closest friends in the government (Meredith 344). Almostimmediately, the nation's army rose up in rebellion against the governmentof Lumumba. The establishment of a Soviet presence incentral Africa was perceived as being a threat in terms of the spread ofcommunism to the area. London: The Institute for the Study of Conflict, 1983.Yoder, Stanley. Works CitedBobb, F. Before Mobutu came to power in Zaire, the nation experienced aperiod of instability which posed a severe threat to Western interests inthe area. On November 24, 1965, Mobutu finally took control of thegovernment in a bloodless coup. However, Western intervention has kept him in power despite thesefactors. On June 3 , 196 , the Belgian government grantedindependence to the nation. However, at the same time, healso asked the Soviet Union for assistance. The fact that it has not collapsed can be attributed to theexternal support that Mobutu has received throughout his reign (Callaghy2 4). In order to insureMobutu's electoral success, most of the polling places do not stock redcards at all (Ungar 364). Most of the military troops used in stopping theShaba rebellion were from Morocco. The First Dance of Freedom: Black Africa in the Postwar Era. A greatdeal of controversy has arisen over the extent to which the CIA wasinvolved in a plot to kill Lumumba. In the wordsof Brooke, the nation of Zaire "seems to be black Africa's classic case ofmismanaged independence" (Brooke A8). The fact that Mobutu later ejected the CIA from Zaire raisesfurther questions regarding the agency's involvement in Lumumba's death.However, there are fewer questions regarding the use of Western militaryforces in establishing Mobutu's reign in Zaire. There are a variety of factors which help to explain why the nationof Zaire is so important to the West. In March, 1977, guerrillaforces representing the Front National Pour La Liberation Du Congo (FNLC)crossed over from Angola into Shaba. In the words of Callaghy: "International assistance has been acontinuous and pervasive factor supporting the emergence, consolidation,and survival of the absolutist state in Zaire" (Callaghy 2 4). Despite these efforts, foreignassistance continues to be provided. Above all, Western leaders have supported the regime in Zairebecause Mobutu represents a source of stability in the central Africanarea. Not all Western officials have been willing to support the Mobuturegime. New York: Franklin Watts, 1982.Gould, David J. In addition, he ordered all citizensto change their names from Christian names to African names (Ibid.). Thiseffectively removed all political competition and insured the success ofMobutu's personal political philosophy known as "Mobutuism." Mobutu's efforts at "Zairianization" quickly led to the economicdownfall of the country. Congress have expressedconcern over such factors as "authoritarianism, mismanagement, and humanrights abuses" within the Zairian government (Bobb 86). In 1971, Mobutu changed the name of his country fromthe Republic of the Congo to the Republic of Zaire. New York: Praeger Publishers, 1979, 296-318.Greenhouse, Steven. Zaire's underdevelopment is reflected in the severe poverty whichis found in the majority of the nation's people. However, French andAmerican investments in Zaire are very large as well. Even Mobutu's pretense at popularelections in his country is filled with signs of corruption. Bureaucratic Corruption and Underdevelopment in theThird World: The Case of Zaire. aircraft and Belgian troops were actively involved in helpingMobutu seize control of the nation (Bobb 221). Zaire and the African Revolution. Furthermore, the expelledbusinessmen were no longer willing to trust Mobutu. This type of officialencouragement has continued through the 198 's and up to the present day.By the late 198 's, it was reported that U.S. There have alsobeen reports of human rights violations in Zaire, ranging from policerepression to the torture of political prisoners. Before therise of the Mobutu regime, Zaire was a colony of Belgium and it was knownas the Belgian Congo. For example, he has frequently remindedWestern leaders of the strategic importance of his nation. Again, French and American troops were influentialin stopping this second rebellion. In the 197 's, the combination of expensive importswith a drop in export income created the serious economic problems whichcontinue to exist in Zaire today. Western investments have helped to stabilize the government in Zaire. Without this support, political natural selection wouldhave taken place a long time ago. The corrupt politics of the Mobutu regime have resulted in a drasticdecline in the living standards of the average Zairian. Lumumba asked the United Nations for military assistance in handlingthe rebellious factions within his country. In this regard, he has "taken steps toportray his regime in a favorable light to external actors from whom heneeds crucial support" (Callaghy 2 5). Mobutu has shown that he is aware of the Western interests in hiscountry and has played off those interests in order to continue receivingexternal support for his regime. Because Western policy at that time was focused on thecontainment of Soviet influence, Mobutu was seen in a more favorable lightthan Lumumba. Thus, he established a one-party systemin Zaire based upon his own Popular Revolutionary Movement Party. In 1973, European-owned businesses in the nationwere seized "and given to Zairians for token compensation" (GreenhouseA12). Thus, the French government looks to the Zairians for their"support of French policies in Africa and their continued status asreceptive markets for French exports" (Bobb 88). Therefore, despite Mobutu's corruption, the Western leadersfeel that it is better to keep him in power than to remove him and take achance on all the unknown factors which would be involved in changing thegovernment. There have beenmany allegations that the CIA was directly involved in giving support tothis group. As a result, U.S. As a result of these problems, Zaire currently exists in asevere state of underdevelopment. The idea behind thischange was to remove the foreign influence which was implied by the name"Congo." This was followed by an "authenticity campaign" which has alsobeen referred to as "Zairianization." Mobutu changed the name of theofficial state currency to the zaire. With theseproblems in mind, Congress has often tried to block the economic aidpackages which are sent to Zaire. The FrenchPresident, Francois Mitterand, was not quite as open toward Mobutu'sgovernment at first. In particular, Mobutu has been able to remain in power because ofthe military and economic support that he has received from France and theUnited States. If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.