1965 – Mobutu Sese Seko Rises in Congo

On May 30, 1965, Mobutu Sese Seko solidified control over the Congo by dissolving the government of President Joseph Kasavubu, leading to his formal seizure of power later that year. Backed by Western powers amid Cold War tensions, Mobutu’s rise marked the end of Congo’s post-independence parliamentary democracy and the beginning of an authoritarian regime that would last over three decades. Though controversial, Mobutu’s reign shaped the geopolitics of Central Africa and Africa’s post-colonial identity. His “Authenticité” movement sought to erase colonial cultural influence and promote African pride, even as he plundered the country’s wealth. May 30, 1965, thus represents a pivotal and polarizing moment in Black international history—highlighting the complex intersections of sovereignty, neocolonialism, and identity. The day serves as a cautionary tale and a moment to reflect on the costs of externally influenced governance in newly liberated African nations.