Difference between revisions of "Quotations of Mobutu Sese Seko"

Revision as of 01:59, 14 October 2006

The following is a list of some of Mobutu Sese Seko's quotes.

• "The very existence of the Nation was threatened. Threatened on all sides, from the interior and exterior. From the interior, by the sterile conflicts of politicians who sacrificed the country and their compatriots to their own interests. Nothing counted for them but power...and what the exercise of power could bring them. Fill their own pockets, exploit the Congo and the Congolese, this was their trademark. Given such examples, both national and provincial administrations were mired in inertia, inefficiency, and worse yet, corruption. At all levels, many of those in our country who held a morsel of public power allowed themselves to be corrupted, served individuals and companies who paid bribes and neglected the others... ...certain politicians, to maintain themselves in power or to regain it, did not hesitate to seek help from foreign powers... ...the social, economic and financial situation of the country is catastrophic." - Mobutu explaining the reasons behind his November 1965 coup

• "One had to strike through a spectacular example, and create the conditions of regime discipline. When a chief takes a decision, he decides - period." - Mobutu explaining the purpose of executing a prime minister designate and three cabinet members for their complicity in the "Pentecost Plot" in 1966

• "It is better to die of hunger than to be rich and a slave to colonialism."

• "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer still."

• "Positive non-alignment, or indiscriminate openmindedness to the world, is a fundamental feature of Zaire's foreign policy. To this end, we are exerting ourselves in a bid to promote genuine cooperation among all countries that are willing to accept Zaire for what it is...The debacles that Zaire has faced and continues to face in various areas - colonization, alienation, exploitation, secession, rebellion - are due to the imperialist policies of the superpowers who have assumed the right to govern the world. Thus, we do not want to be involved directly or indirectly in any attempt to subjugate a state or group of states." - Mobutu outlining Zaire's foreign policy

• "Between a brother and a friend, the choice is clear." - Mobutu announcing Zaire's severance of diplomatic relations with Israel at the UN Security Council, 1973

• "In our African tradition, there are never two chiefs; there is sometimes a natural heir to the chief, but can anyone tell me that he has ever known a village that has two chiefs? That is why we Congolese, in the desire to conform to the traditions of our continent, have resolved to group all the energies of the citizens of our country under the banner of a single national party." - Mobutu explaining the 'necessity' of a one-party state

• "We are resorting to this authenticity in order to rediscover our soul, which colonization had almost erased from our memories and which we are seeking in the tradition of our ancestors."

• "Clearly, I would be lying if I said I do not have a bank account in Europe; I do. I would be lying if I said I do not have considerable money in my account; I do. Yes, I do have a fair amount of money. However, I would estimate it to total less than 50 million dollars. What is that for twenty-two years as head of state in such a big country?" Mobutu to congressman Mervyn Dymally in 1988

• "Zaire is the country that has been the most heavily exploited in the world. That is why farms, ranches, plantations, concessions, commerce, and real estate agencies will be turned over to sons of the country." - Mobutu announcing "Zairianization"

• "In a word, everything is for sale, anything can be bought in our country. And in this flow, he who holds the slightest cover of public authority uses it illegally to acquire money, goods, prestige or to avoid obligations. The right to be recognized by a public servant, to have one's children enrolled in school, to obtain medical care, etc. ...are all subject to this tax which, though invisible, is known and expected by all." - Mobutu denouncing la mal Zaïrois (French: The Zairian sickness) on November 25, 1977

• "If you want to steal, steal a little in a nice way. But if you steal too much to become rich overnight, you'll be caught."

• "Treating me as a thief is a grave, unacceptable, intolerable insult which stems from contempt and racist condescension." Mobutu, in response to accusations by the Belgian media that he was skimming Belgian aid for himself

• "As regards George Bush, I've met him thirteen times. We know each other from way back. He was in charge of the CIA and knew Zaire's problems backwards. He received me at his home in Maine with his mother, wife and children and grandchildren. I met him again recently at the funeral of Emperor Hirohito. He is an intelligent, open and sensitive man, with strong convictions."

• "The chief is the chief. He is the eagle who flies high and cannot be touched by the spit of the toad."

• "If I could do it all again, I'd be a farmer."

• "I cannot sleep at all on a plane and I am terribly scared of sleeping pills. To accuse me of wasting money - no, I am sorry. Just think of the time I save."

• "When you are a soldier, either you surrender or you are killed. But you don't flee."

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