On #ThisDayInHistory in 1965, #MobutuSeseSeko (born Joseph-Désiré Mobutu) made himself president of #Congo. As head of the army he had overthrown #PatriceLumumba in 1960, but initially stayed with the army. In 1971 he renamed the country #Zaire & held power directly for 32 years.

On #ThisDayInHistory in 1960, #MobutuSeseSeko launched a coup with #CIA help against the first president of #CongoKinshasa, #PatriceLumumba. MSS brutally held power until 1997, and for much of that time #Congo was called #Zaire. Lumumba was later butchered & dissolved in acid.