Belgian Congo / Zaire: Catastrophic transition

Belgian policy had deliberately avoided producing an educated Congolese elite. When Belgium granted independence suddenly in 1960, there were almost no trained Congolese administrators. Patrice Lumumba became prime minister. Belgian forces intervened to protect mining interests in Katanga, which declared independence. Lumumba turned to the Soviet Union, alarming the West. He was overthrown, captured, and murdered with Belgian and CIA involvement in 1961. Mobutu Sese Seko seized power in 1965 and ruled until 1997, becoming one of Africa's most corrupt dictators, sustained as a Cold War client of the United States.