Difference between revisions of "Zaïre"
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=====International reaction===== | =====International reaction===== | ||
This caused an international uproar, especially in [[Disraeliland]]. In addition to the deleterious effect it would have on the Zaïrean economy and on the Zaïrean people, the [[Disraeliland]] government denounced the move as tyrannical, immoral, and a blatant violation of property rights. [[Disraeliland]] subsequently seized Zaïrean properties in their country, threatened to take the matter to court, and threatened to recall their ambassador, Emily Chan. A heated argument ensued between the governments of the two countries, and, with neither of them able to see eye to eye, they both recalled their ambassadors. | This caused an international uproar, especially in [[Disraeliland]]. In addition to the deleterious effect it would have on the Zaïrean economy and on the Zaïrean people, the [[Disraeliland]] government denounced the move as tyrannical, immoral, and a blatant violation of property rights. [[Disraeliland]] subsequently seized Zaïrean properties in their country, threatened to take the matter to court, and threatened to recall their ambassador, Emily Chan. A heated argument ensued between the governments of the two countries, and, with neither of them able to see eye to eye, they both recalled their ambassadors. | ||
| + | |||
| + | =====Results of Zaïrianization===== | ||
| + | Economically, Zaïrianization was a total disaster. Inflation climbed to almost 5,000%, unemployment reached a level of 72%, virtually all nationalized industries quickly became bankrupt, most basic necessities (including food and petrol) became extremely rare, and street crime soared. Moreover, most of the nationalized property was handed to party stalwarts, blood relatives, old friends, or enemies whose loyalty Mobutu wanted to buy. Corruption, already a serious problem, soared to an all-pervasive level, permeating every area of society. Bribery, black marketeering, and fraud were rife. | ||
====Authenticité==== | ====Authenticité==== | ||
| − | Authenticité, too, was a revival of one of the "old Mobutu's" programs of the same name. | + | ''Authenticité'', too, was a revival of one of the "old Mobutu's" programs of the same name. The chief purpose of ''authenticité'' was to revive traditional [[Wikipedia:Culture of Africa|African culture]], promote strong African values, instill in the people [[Wikipedia:Nationalism|national pride]], and foster national unity that would transcend tribalism. Examples of ''authenticité'' included the outlawing of Western attire, to be replaced with the abacost (''à bas le costume'', [[French]] for "down with the suit") for men, and pagnes for women. All Zaïreans were ordered by presidential decree to replace their [[Wikipedia:Christianity|Christian]] names with African ones (although very few members of the elite did so). The terms ''monsieur'' and ''madame'', were replaced with ''citoyen'' and ''citoyenne'', just as they were in [[Wikipedia:France|France]] during the [[Wikipedia:French Revolution|French Revolution]]. |
| + | |||
| + | ====Consolidation of power==== | ||
| + | Mobutu also made great efforts to centralize, consolidate, and expand governmental power to the fullest extent possible. The authority of local and regional governments was reduced to the absolute minimum, making them, in effect, little more than figureheads. All unions were consolidated into a single government-controlled one, ''Union Nationale des Travailleurs Zaïrois'' (UNTZA), which all workers, in both public and private sectors, were required to join. Membership in the youth wing of the ruling party, ''Union Nationale des Travailleurs Zaïrois'' (JMPR), became compulsory for all children aged 6-16, so they could undergo military training and be indoctrinated in government dogmas. All high school and college students were required to join a government-controlled union called ''Union Générale des Étudiants Congolais'' (UGEC), as teenagers/young adults tend to be rebellious, and the government wanted to keep an eye on them to ensure that they did not dissent in any way. All Zaïreans, regardless of age, automatically became compulsory, life-long members of ''Corps des Volontaires de la République'', a pro-government paramilitary militia, although few attended training sessions, and even fewer actively participated in it. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====Cult of personality==== | ||
| + | Finally, the last agenda of the radicalization of the revolution was the establishment of a massive [[Wikipedia:Cult of personality|personality cult]] surrounding the President. He assumed grand titles such as Founder of the Nation, the Guide, Father of the Revolution, Savior of the World, Mulopwe (god, or emperor), and even the Messiah. All local, regional, and national government officials, all civil servants, and all members of the armed forces, were required to wear lapel badges with his miniature portrait. The evening news was proceeded by an image of him descending from heaven through the clouds, as ecstatic dancers and an awestruck choir greeted his arrival with extreme joy. Every adult citizen was required by law to own at least one portrait of the President. T-shirts and apparel, washcloths, towels, and even bedsheets, bearing his image were widely available. Tall golden statues of the President were erected in public squares, former residences and other significant places of his life became national pilgrimage points, and billboards of him were everywhere. All schools were secularized, with all religious symbols being replaced by portraits of the President. The President himself surrounded himself with sycophants who endlessly lavished praise unto him, singing, dancing, and animating in order to earn his favor. | ||
Revision as of 23:58, 16 March 2006
| |||||
| Motto: Justice - Peace - Work French: Justice - Paix - Travail | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthem: La Zaïroise | |||||
| |||||
| Capital | Kinshasa 4°24′ S 15°24′ E | ||||
| Largest city | Kinshasa | ||||
| Official language(s) | French (Lingala, Kikongo, Swahili, Tshiluba are national languages) | ||||
| Government President Prime Minister |
Republic Léopold Honoré Mobutu Victor Ngbanda | ||||
| Independence -Date |
From Belgium June 30, 1960 | ||||
| Area - Total - Water (%) |
2,345,410 km² 3.3% | ||||
| Population - 2006 - Density |
60,000,000 24/km² | ||||
| GDP (PPP) - Total - Per capita |
$47,768,876,387.87 $9,553.78 | ||||
| Currency - Exchange rate |
Zaïre $1 (USD) = 2.0564 Zaïres | ||||
| National animal | Leopard | ||||
| Time zone - Summer (DST) |
CET, EET (UTC +1 to +2) not observed (UTC +1 to +2) | ||||
| Internet TLD | .zr | ||||
| Calling code | +243 | ||||
The Republic of Zaïre (French: République du Zaïre) is a Central African nation bordered by Central African Republic and Sudan on the north; Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania on the east; Zambia and Angola on the south; and Republic of the Congo/Congo-Brazzaville on the west. Zaïre, the third largest nation in Africa, is blessed with vast reserves of minerals and other natural resources, making it one of the most geologically wealthy nations in the world and a potential economic powerhouse; however, since its chaotic debut as an independent nation on June 30, 1960, it has suffered considerably, from one catastrophe to another, including, but not limited to, the Congo Crisis, severe repression, corruption, and economic crisis, and later, two devastating civil wars, the First Congo War and the Second Congo War; the latter went on to become the most deadly conflict since World War II, earning it the nickname Africa's World War.
Contents
History
Note: This deals exclusively with Zaïre (or rather, the NS Zaïre) of March 5, 2006-present; for previous history, click here.
A "coup of conscience?"
As of early 2006, the civil war was still ongoing, with the peace process progressing sluggishly (if at all), the economy in free-fall, starvation and disease rampant, and sporadic skirmishes and pervasive lawlessness in the southeastern portions of the country. Waiting in the wings was a mysterious lieutenant general, Léopold Honoré Mobutu, who grew disgusted and frustrated with the dire straits his country was in and the inept, hopelessly corrupt politicians, staged a "coup of conscience" in order to save the country "from anarchy, corruption, and violence." He immediately declared himself President and renamed the country Zaïre, in "honor" of Mobutu Sese Seko (no relation), whom he professed to admire deeply. Citing the peace, political stability, patriotism, and prosperity characterized by Mobutu's early years, he pledged to "revive the great legacy of a once great man, and bring greatness to this nation." However, first he began a "house cleaning" operation that saw hundreds of politicians, black marketeers, fraudsters, and others accused of corruption, heinously executed before huge audiences, after being hastily tried and found guilty by kangaroo courts. As the new Mobutu was himself quite corrupt, many wondered if those individuals were really executed for corruption, or because they were potential threats; of course, they wondered quietly, as the new Mobutu also was quick to revive the old intelligence services, secret police, etc. of the "old Mobutu" era. As Mobutu endlessly praised the "old Mobutu" and his "legacy of the early days," Zaïreans were quick to notice that the unsavory aspects of the old Mobutu regime- rampant corruption and severe repression- had returned as well, in full force. He had, for example, once again made the [[Mouvement Populaire de la Revolution the sole legal party, and had made membership compulsory for all citizens. They could only hope the original Mobutu's pitiful economic legacy (post-1974, that is) would not be brought back, as well, as Zaïre's economy was in shambles as it was.
"Radicalization of the Revolution"
It was not long before he declared a "radicalization of the revolution," as "the old Mobutu" had done in the mid-70s. This entailed several extremely radical, drastic, sweeping changes.
Zaïrianization
One of these major changes was called Zaïrianization. Like the original program of that name, this one was short-sighted, far-fetched, ill-planned, hampered by corruption, and doomed to failure. All foreign-owned estates, banks, stores, businesses, plantations, and other properties were seized without compensation (although the President falsely promised that full compensation would be provided) and given "to sons of the country" (in reality, to political allies, party stalwarts, family members, and friends, as well as enemies whose loyalty he wanted to buy).
International reaction
This caused an international uproar, especially in Disraeliland. In addition to the deleterious effect it would have on the Zaïrean economy and on the Zaïrean people, the Disraeliland government denounced the move as tyrannical, immoral, and a blatant violation of property rights. Disraeliland subsequently seized Zaïrean properties in their country, threatened to take the matter to court, and threatened to recall their ambassador, Emily Chan. A heated argument ensued between the governments of the two countries, and, with neither of them able to see eye to eye, they both recalled their ambassadors.
Results of Zaïrianization
Economically, Zaïrianization was a total disaster. Inflation climbed to almost 5,000%, unemployment reached a level of 72%, virtually all nationalized industries quickly became bankrupt, most basic necessities (including food and petrol) became extremely rare, and street crime soared. Moreover, most of the nationalized property was handed to party stalwarts, blood relatives, old friends, or enemies whose loyalty Mobutu wanted to buy. Corruption, already a serious problem, soared to an all-pervasive level, permeating every area of society. Bribery, black marketeering, and fraud were rife.
Authenticité
Authenticité, too, was a revival of one of the "old Mobutu's" programs of the same name. The chief purpose of authenticité was to revive traditional African culture, promote strong African values, instill in the people national pride, and foster national unity that would transcend tribalism. Examples of authenticité included the outlawing of Western attire, to be replaced with the abacost (à bas le costume, French for "down with the suit") for men, and pagnes for women. All Zaïreans were ordered by presidential decree to replace their Christian names with African ones (although very few members of the elite did so). The terms monsieur and madame, were replaced with citoyen and citoyenne, just as they were in France during the French Revolution.
Consolidation of power
Mobutu also made great efforts to centralize, consolidate, and expand governmental power to the fullest extent possible. The authority of local and regional governments was reduced to the absolute minimum, making them, in effect, little more than figureheads. All unions were consolidated into a single government-controlled one, Union Nationale des Travailleurs Zaïrois (UNTZA), which all workers, in both public and private sectors, were required to join. Membership in the youth wing of the ruling party, Union Nationale des Travailleurs Zaïrois (JMPR), became compulsory for all children aged 6-16, so they could undergo military training and be indoctrinated in government dogmas. All high school and college students were required to join a government-controlled union called Union Générale des Étudiants Congolais (UGEC), as teenagers/young adults tend to be rebellious, and the government wanted to keep an eye on them to ensure that they did not dissent in any way. All Zaïreans, regardless of age, automatically became compulsory, life-long members of Corps des Volontaires de la République, a pro-government paramilitary militia, although few attended training sessions, and even fewer actively participated in it.
Cult of personality
Finally, the last agenda of the radicalization of the revolution was the establishment of a massive personality cult surrounding the President. He assumed grand titles such as Founder of the Nation, the Guide, Father of the Revolution, Savior of the World, Mulopwe (god, or emperor), and even the Messiah. All local, regional, and national government officials, all civil servants, and all members of the armed forces, were required to wear lapel badges with his miniature portrait. The evening news was proceeded by an image of him descending from heaven through the clouds, as ecstatic dancers and an awestruck choir greeted his arrival with extreme joy. Every adult citizen was required by law to own at least one portrait of the President. T-shirts and apparel, washcloths, towels, and even bedsheets, bearing his image were widely available. Tall golden statues of the President were erected in public squares, former residences and other significant places of his life became national pilgrimage points, and billboards of him were everywhere. All schools were secularized, with all religious symbols being replaced by portraits of the President. The President himself surrounded himself with sycophants who endlessly lavished praise unto him, singing, dancing, and animating in order to earn his favor.
