Word: mobutu
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...even before Mobutu left the capital, it was clear who was actually in power. U.S. intelligence sources said that throughout last week top army commanders were calling rebel leader Kabila, who already controlled three-quarters of the country, to pledge their allegiance. On Saturday morning Kabila's ragtag forces marched into the capital without serious opposition and by that night had taken full control. Hundreds of Zairians took to the streets, many of them wearing white headbands and holding palm fronds as signs of support. "Congo libere!" they shouted. "We are free! Kabila is here...
While there were some killings--four of Mobutu's generals were reportedly murdered by their own men--the chaotic looting and mayhem that many had feared never occurred. Speaking from his headquarters at Lubumbashi, Kabila, 56, said he would "assume from now the functions of the head of state." He added, "I am happy, very happy to succeed." He said he would form a transitional government by Tuesday and promised a new constitution within 60 days for the country that he renamed the Democratic Republic of Congo...
...days before Kabila's forces moved in, scores of Mobutu's political and military cronies were reported fleeing across the Congo River to Brazzaville in the nation of Congo, some with suitcases full of cash. One man seen steering a speedboat across the river was the hated General Nzimbi Ngbale, head of the elite presidential guard...
General Likulia Bolongo, Mobutu's newest Prime Minister, Thursday night telephoned U.S. Ambassador Daniel Simpson in Kinshasa to announce Mobutu's impending departure. By week's end Likulia himself was in Brazzaville...
...sign that Mobutu's end had come: Switzerland announced it had seized his villa at Savigny, near Lausanne, valued at some $5.5 million. Mobutu's holdings in cash and real estate, most of them in Europe, are said to be worth $4 billion. Kabila's government is demanding that all Mobutu's assets be frozen...