Anniversary of the Name Change Date: May 14
Anniversary of the Name Change is celebrated by the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa celebrates the anniversary of the change of its name on May 14, 2009 from the former Zaire, then ruled by Mobutu and his corrupt political government.
Anniversary of the Name Change History
Mobutu’s government were guilty of serious human rights violations and political corruption against the population of this central Africa country. Mobutu was so infactuated with his political power he even insisted on every bank note to have his image imprinted. Most business’s hung portraits of him on their walls and many people actually wore clothing with his image emblazoned. He established a one party political system and declared himself head of state, Zaire, Africa.
Mobutu was the first Head of State in Africa to be invited for a state visit by newly elected president Bush in 1989. Political historians believe Motubu only had support from the West due to his repulsion and political views against communism and the fact he allowed business’s to export natural sources. The corruption became so intense by 1980 Mobutu was said to have 14 billion dollars in a personal swiss bank account, an amount very close to the countries national debt. He allowed infrastructure to deteriorate while pocketing the funds from International aid in the form of loans. Zaire, became Kleptocracy, A political expression meaning to extend personal wealth at the expense of the population, deriving from the Greek word Klepto meaning theft.
However U.S. relations soon cooled when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1985, and the United States no longer needed a cold war ally. Opponents in Zaire stepped up demands, but the only reforms that came were cosmetic. Tensions from the neighbouring Rwanda brought war, and genocide spilled into Zaire. The Tutsis a political army from Rwanda formed a Militia and rebelled against Mobutu, alongside several other countries. Laurent-Desire Kabila who led a coalition became known as Alliance des Forces Democratiques pour la Liberation du Congo Zaire and successfully achieved the goal and Mobutu was forced out of Africa.
Anniversary of the Name Change Traditions and Activities
Kabila marched into Kinshasa the capital naming himself president and shortly after renamed the country again to the former Democratic Republic of Congo. The Nation chose to reclaim the name republic of Congo since the name Zaire was too connected to Mobutu, they also renamed the Zaire river back to the Congo River. Although this country appears to have always been at political war it is customary to celebrate this day.
Other interesting posts:
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo Remembers Laurent Kabila
- Republic Day Commemorated in the Republic of the Congo
- Democratic Republic of the Congo Celebrates Parents Day
- Republic of Congo Celebrates Youth Day
- The Republic of Congo Celebrates President Day
Other interesting posts:
