Zaire Revisited: Congolese nostalgic for era of dictator Mobutu

[@Georgije2]

No wonder everybody you interviewed is nostalgic for the dictator, almost all of them were part of his staff!

[@unknowable2432]

Facts! Benefiting from that blood money.

[@ominakotte8214]

HAHAHA HAHAHA HAHAHA

[@shauncameron8390]

It figures.

[@addis1395]

He opened Congo to neocolonosers he was corrupt so darling of the west sad

[@peterpeterholt]

Exactly, a really biased report. It get better towards the end to be fair.

[@kolaojo1003]

We Africans are always dreaming of d old days...In the old days we wanted New times...Our problems ain't the times, but our refusal to grow and accept responsibility for this growth...life's 4 d progressive

[@reesegoldess5740]

Kola Ojo Amen Brother. We African Americans are the same way.

[@AlexDeLarge1]

Your problems are our problems. We wish our governments in the western world would do something to help you, rather than continue to hurt you. Your infrastructure is the cause of your so-called "backwardness". Lack of health infrastructure, poor sanitation, unpaved roads, these are the problems. You can't even travel from one point to another with modern means of transport. Your governments are trying to make things right for you, but our governments prevent it. We want it to stop.

[@royalstag3795]

I have massive respect for everyone here's ability to recogise the problems that africa has

[@dukepalatinemmxx2098]

@@koojina so right. If Africans can get into the present and leave the past behind, this continent and all its people can even become rather wealthy. Education is the key and the development of proper self respect during the process, which leads to respect for others, the coyntry, the animals, environment and planet. Rwanda is currently a shining example of the African potential properly focused and managed. Botswana is another.

[@wamuriuki4]

@@koojina you're an African like Tommy Sotomayor.

[@reesegoldess5740]

The Congo people soon forget the assassination of Patrice Lumumba now that was a real leader

[@teddybear668]

Exactly...he was accused by the west for having links with the communists, as if colonialism was better than communism in any way.

[@TheMuzikall]

They didn't... it was just kept out of the news...Even the Shias in Iraq miss their sworn enemy Saddam. .but it's kept out of the news..just like how Libyans miss Muammar. .but you will NEVER hear of it...

[@692ALBANNACH]

@@teddybear668 Read he first approached the US for support but was refused. He then approached the USSR and they said yes.

[@Captain-Sum.Ting-Wong]

@@TheMuzikall Gaddafi maybe but I don't think many people miss Saddam. A lot of people regret the US invasion but not many tears have been shed for that butcherer.

[@benjamincolon5486]

I know every day I your dress that guy as president every time I hear his name I always call him president and Mobutu. I just called general because he's no president and plus that's what I imagine African autocrats like Mobutu either a general or a military officer who either work? "To bribing their way to a major way corporal or brigadier general because he's no president, he murder the real one

[@oceejekwam6829]

When Congo recovers, Africa will recover. DR Congo is a very important country in Africa.

[@birikunzira7183]

When ,???

[@gloriaenoma3730]

Facts

[@rudyniosho2505]

And that’s exactly why it will never rise! First, western powers will never allow it, and secondly, Congolese themselves are not even conscious of that! Sad!

[@sossiserano2707]

@@rudyniosho2505 you are right

[@knasheed8092]

Zaire will NEVER recover! Ever! This country and its politicians belong to Belgium, America, and France.

[@neitevezana9263]

As a people, we Africans are our own worst enemies.

[@ecowanderer6099]

I can say the same about India

[@andrewmbuvi5804]

he destroyed that country, and killed lumumba the Great

[@mastercdric]

The CIA killed Lumumba

[@RDGikTv]

@Shotgunmad xl you sound dumb

[@blessingomodion1141]

@@RDGikTv he is not only dumb but a useful idiot: that's what Europeans call Africans like him.

[@angolafapla1633]

@@mastercdric Tshombé and Munongo of Conakat killed Lumumba Patrice Emery Western powers just gave them assistance with the support of Soviet Union whom turned a blind eye to the Congolese situation...

[@denismutabazi]

He was a pawn

[@abiodun-b9]

A friend worked in Congo (as a missionary physician) in the mobutu years. That was the only country he and his wife could not establish a school for medical asst/ surgical asst/lab assistant. Because mobutu wouldn’t give approval! And he had worked in South Asia and all over Africa. You can count the number of secondary schools in Congo when the Belgians were there, and mobutu left the country with the same number!

[@Darwinek]

True. He was a megalomaniac and egoist. Why improve a healthcare or education system if your wife needs to fly to Paris every weekend for extensive luxury shopping spree.

[@Darwinek]

@tanya kimbe Modern day missionaries bring healthcare and education. Something local African dictators don't care about.

[@bobbatons1720]

We are talking about a guy, who when Congo went bankrupt in 1989, he had more money than the overall debt of Congo!! I think Congo's debt was 3 billion dollars and his own fortune was 5 billion. They guy could pay the whole debt of his country by just writing a check. And yet... you see Africans worshiping him. And that explains a lot about the situation in the Continent as a whole. Not only for Congo.

[@oo--7714]

@@bobbatons1720 there aren't anyone reminiscing about him though, your comment screams of bias

[@bobbatons1720]

@@oo--7714 No my comment is inconvenient maybe for those who want to put the blame for the malaise of Africa to anyone but Africans themselves. I met Congolese and they do worship him. Plus they have the same positive opinion for other African authoritarian leaders like Qantafi for example. Plus, the same things they said to me for Kabila. He lost power because of the evil West. The guy who had hundreds of millions in banks abroad.

[@Burner_Acc]

Watching fools like Mobutu and Bokassa makes me appreciate Nyerere of Tanzania even more. The unsung hero of Africa.

[@vuzaragodwin629]

Nyerere the greatest African leader ever

[@etcetera3282]

What is missing from this narrative is the elephant in the room: the role of France & other powers.

[@lilsabin]

the narrative is about the palace , not about the politic

[@jensramputh]

unfortunately its not possible to legislate prosperity

[@JuanPablo-lt3us]

No, they mentioned it. America sponsored the coup of Mobutu.

[@Walter37165]

You were lucky but you didn't learn

[@fredsmith-kingofthelunatic7810]

In the DRC the colonial power was Belgium, and the effects were the same. When they left they made sure too destabilize the country so it wouldn't recover.

[@kelleybrown1666]

I remember the country being called Zaire on maps in the 90s.

[@gabistan2007]

Even before from begin his leadership

[@crownprincesebastianjohano7069]

Watching these videos, it seems very cruel how things have turned out. I imagine that back in the early 1960s there was hope and a wide-open future for nations who threw off colonial powers. Now, 60 years later, people are nostalgic for a brutal dictator because the present is so awful.

[@MustacheCashStash125]

The U.S. came and ruined it all by assassinating Patrice Lumumba all because they thought he might be a communist

[@bokay3900]

The people in this video must be members of Mubutu's tribe. He ran that country into the ground!

[@jamez1224]

Bingo! Those people from his tribe. They never admit his wrongs, still praise him

[@jdlc903]

He built it up initially

[@rudyniosho2505]

Nope! Kambayi Bwatshia was not from his tribe!🙄

[@neitevezana9263]

"He didn't do it to earn money " of course he didn't need it after decades of plundering and looting from state coffers.

[@samnedumedja5323]

They are the people from his hometown, of course they missed him. He transformed a village to a city, I wonder if other villages feel the same way.

[@logicalnutjob5285]

Wow, the 1st 12 minutes of that it was difficult to think of him as anything but a benevolent leader, rather than the dictator most known for Kleptocratic rule. He was revered & successful as a dictator because he was able to amass a ginormous private fortune and hold onto power for a long time. Just been reading 'The Dictator's Handbook' and he has been applauded (for being a successful dictator) in that. He did all of this at the expense of Zaire's people, he had a small coalition, for which yes, they were probably indeed very happy and still revere him, but the majority of the population did not. Why would there be protests otherwise? Why would there be political rivals (wanting to take over the control of money is definitely one reason) It was briefly mentioned that the airport COULD land a Concorde, why not state the whole truth that Mobutu did often land a Concorde there because he rented the plane from Air France? That's a serious amount of ostentatious wealth spent right there. There's no doubt that he was a very intelligent man, and figured out the system in which to govern very well. Yet this piece seems like its for white europeans who don't know anything of the country... and don't want to be pained with sorrow at the past of an African country, with a dictator in which they helped support and through this support were partially complicit in the consequences. It ends with... 'ah well, things are looking up... democracy is on its way'. But doesn't really go into the situation as it stands now. None the less, its an important piece, even if its just offers a small piece of the pie, which can be added to more if people should be inclined to think a little more.

[@CharlieSpencers]

logical nutjob I would hardly call this a “comfort piece for ignorant WHITE Europeans”. It just seems like a poorly-studied piece of media that (as it always seems-to these days) takes a jab at nationalism. I don’t understand the argument that it is used to comfort European people, as this country was only the colony of Belgium and nearly every European person involved in aiding his rise to power is elderly or dead, the citizens of Belgium having near-nothing to do with it. Perhaps the piece is attempting to try at times to sympathise with those Congolese citizens who are “nostalgic” to his rule. Nonetheless, they still describe his reign as marked with “violence and oppression”, frequently mentioning his lavish spendings.

[@logicalnutjob5285]

​@@CharlieSpencers Oh i don't mean the Belgium Congo part (1908 to 1960- independence), thats a different story entirely. I mean the timeline of when Mobutu was in power (1965 -1997). Mobutu had strong ties with France, & still with Belgium and with the United States. All being significant donors of aid, which as with any dictatorship, goes mostly into the pockets of the dictator and their coalition, & is generally used to suppress their people. France at the time, was no doubt told a rosy story of the situation due to Mobutu being friends of the government. (or at least strategic ally). I say that it seems like its for white europeans because its from a French news channel, its clearly European news which Americans, Australians & a bunch of other countries aren't likely to tune into. Those people that watched the news when Mobutu was in power, are still mostly alive today. I believe this kind of story is for them. Whilst a lot of it is true, there's a lot of information that's been left out to make it seem 'balanced' as news channels often try to do, so as to not come across as biased. (Even when the situation doesn't demand it) Its the kind of news reporting that people have got used to as 'providing a fair opinion of whats going on in the country'. Of course they're only interviewing people who were looked after by the regime... so it IS biased, but the way it is presented seems like it its to placate those people that can't tell that.

[@CharlieSpencers]

logical nutjob Oh, I agree that it’s biased in that their interviewbase is all favoured towards him. I’m not arguing against that. But the idea that this is made to appeal to European people to make them feel better about matters they have little to do with is poor. The average Frenchman or Belgian has little knowledge about their governments’ involvement in their misguided aid to Mobutu, so efforts to somehow relieve their absent guilt would be in vein. Despite who they interview, they very frequently mention all the wrongs of his administration. It still mentions his corruption, oppression and lavish spending, the silencing and killing of protesters (even saying his “apparent prosperity”, “apparent” used to denote that it’s of the opinion of others), so its specious reasoning to state that they’re in favour of him. It seems much more rational this is an attempt to sympathise with and understand the nostalgic Congolese, taking their opinions and what would make them feel like they do, but coming-in with very quick reminders of the Dictatorship’s wrongs, it is about the “nostalgic” Congolese, after-all.

[@logicalnutjob5285]

​@@CharlieSpencers Are you sure? (that they very frequently mention all the wrongs of his administration) The 1st half of it, is 'this is what it once was... here's a palace, here's his lavish spendings' (yes so lots of spendings.) Then its interviews with people who benefited from the Regime, then for a very small part (around the 12min mark) it talks about the torture, protestors being killed etc, and then goes back (around the 14 min mark) to talking to people who are trying to pay homage to the Mobutu in some way. There is no footage of the killings, there is a vague shot of a stadium in which 4 opposition members were hung... but thats it. On the whole, the imagery for people watching it is positive, despite what the narration is saying at the 12 min mark. For those that are ignorant as to what actually happened there,... it would be difficult to watch this and realise that he was such a corrupt dictator. (Dictators often kill people, how is this one any different?) . You're right, the average frenchman or belgian has little knowledge, and now with this 'update' on the country... they still have little knowledge, they're not really learning anything. They knew enough that their government was involved... but didn't bother then to find how to what extent, and because of an article like this.. still don't know. So in that way it feels like it made for them. [Its possible to have guilt from not knowing about something, & by not knowing, feeling complicit, ie. voting for a government that supports it, yet not really knowing whats going on] You say "so its specious reasoning to state that they’re in favour of him". You've misunderstood what i was saying i think. I'm not saying they're in favour of him, i'm saying they are presenting a biased view of the situation by leaving out information. Yes its about the 'nostalgic congolese', but there's only a small group thats nostalgic, I thought the point was about the upcoming elections at the time. But there is so little focus on that.

[@CharlieSpencers]

logical nutjob 0:30: Mentioning that Belgium was a former colonial power and through that insinuating that it may have vested interests in him 0:54: “He nationalised foreign companies, *corruption taking hold at every level of the country’s administration*.” 1:55: “Little by little, *corruption* became endemic and the *violent* regime began to falter, *long-suffering* Zaireans fighting-back”. 2:17: “Despite the *violence* and *oppression*, some Congolese still feel a certain nostalgia...” 12:17: “But despite the grand facade, Mobutu was leading the country to ruin.” 12:25: Mentioning how he tortured and killed dissidents (even hanging politicians in a stadium). Need I go-on? The coverage is by no means a pure display of praise. And people don’t generally feel guilt for something their government did a few decades-ago that they didn’t have a say-in. There would be no sense in censoring certain information for people who generally wouldn’t care past the superficial or would actually become more interested or even become disgruntled as a result of it. Revealing all the horrors of the regime would probably yield more interest and views, but it appears they did this to see what those who benefited from his regime had to say. They still mention oppression, violence and corruption, analysing how some miss him despite this. The media today is very eager to remind the West about the worst parts of its history such as slavery, colonialism and fascism, I hardly think this channel would shy-away from sharing the past goings-on of the DRC.

[@sethTheMEGAmind]

Oh Africa!! For how long will i weep for u?? When will u ever wake up?? 😭😭😭

[@theemirofjaffa2266]

It will be over, one day

[@whitebelt920]

I wish my president Mr Museveni learns from this history and he relinquishes power before it's too late.

[@tripleceven]

Dont even worry about him because that chapter will run its course. Rather worry about his successor for thats where your future lies.

[@andrewrukundokyakabale9754]

Hard Target Mbarara will become dilapidated one day.

[@kabongelamech2429]

I surely can’t wait to celebrate m7’s departure

[@evansoduor7624]

@@tripleceven exactly, their would be anarchy

[@winebarimunsi4732]

Worry about yourself and your family...Museveni is still around and there is nothing you can do...Zaire and Ugandas histories are different...🇺🇬🇺🇬🇺🇬👍👍👍

[@uraninite8151]

The coca cola factory was used to store weapons captured by the ALC from the FAC in the second congo war. The MLC still kept weapons there until 2007 when Bemba fled and the FARDC discovered them. In a SABC special assignment episode from 2000 the weapons are shown next to the coke crates. Quite interesting.

[@jumajasjas2925]

Why only mentioning USA and Belgium as the countries which helped mobutu... we all know he was a closer friend with France

[@TheMuzikall]

Bona-fide comrade of France!

[@gaboonviper9705]

Exactly,,the real corona

[@kevinkariuki239]

He thought he would live till year 2000 but lived till 1997. No one knows tomorrow. Only God does.

[@AlexS-oj8qf]

That backyard view! Wow it's so stunning!

[@darthsion3844]

King Mobuto definitely had the money and power to obtain such a view, at the expense of his peasants, and with the support of the global empire.

[@TheNeverposts]

what is it about horrible dictators and fashion sense?

[@seeyouagain911]

Jist because it is something you don't see in Vogue or other white washed magazine doesn't mean it is horrible.

[@jon-snow-GOT]

Same with leaders in religious, business, political, academic fields and anybody with power and influence. Humans respond to style.

[@Rm-ss5gv]

@@seeyouagain911 look up vogue third picture is Rihanna

[@Rm-ss5gv]

@@seeyouagain911 and 4th is lizzo

[@Telluwide]

The Emperor's new clothes....

[@gaboonviper9705]

No single former French colony is at peace,,if they aren't fighting, poverty is humbling them

[@andrescosetti927]

Timber wolf Bite except that the DRC was never a French colony. Also there are a whole range of former French colonies that do rather well. Cambodia, Vietnam, Senegal, Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire....none of them at war. Not a defense of colonialism, but the Anglo kind was certainly not better.

[@sasorishino]

Agree, Vietnam is particurly doing good. But I daresay that it is far from Britain's successful colonies like Singapore and Hong Kong.

[@jocelyneinarukundo3655]

Great observation!! 😭😭😭😭😭

[@starman1144]

DRC was a Belgian colony, not a French one.

[@gaboonviper9705]

@@starman1144,,Belgians were ousted by French,,

[@gasananijonan5558]

Make another video of the role of king Leopold, Belgium and France, we shall be very happy. How about tht

[@shamuteyanelson5507]

It's time for us Africans to start making our own documentaries,telling our own deep understanding of events and accounts regarding our own history..A story can be told from many angles.I appreciate this effort and have learnt a lot though.

[@TheKing60210]

New Africa is a Great channel

[@jordansernik]

Humans really need a strong leader, eh? We're such funny animals

[@gamemage4750]

Yeah, i wish more people were willing to admit that we are animals and what that implies

[@cmukupo1606]

I really hope DRC is able to get prolonged peace and development it needs, it really is Africas sleeping giant.

[@roninkhan9669]

More like a Giant that’s been beaten into a coma by all the wars. No waking up anytime soon.

[@cmukupo1606]

@@roninkhan9669 We hope for the best the region needs her, africa needs her.

[@enoharrey79]

Mobutu alongside his western masters conspired and killed Lumumba. This dictator clearly brought misery to Congo. He cared about no one else but Mombutu. Those who spoke well about Mobutu are clearly those who benefited from his looting of congo's natural resources. Congo under Lumumba would have been the light of Africa. #LONG#LIVE#PATRICE#LUMUMBA.

[@gloriaenoma3730]

💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

[@eddiempate600]

Am I the only one who is confused by this documentary? It seems the Congolese are hailing Mobutu while the reporter is crushing him. Its high time we Africans should well document our history, not these foreigners whose views and ideas are based on their own interests. Much love from 🇹🇿

[@JuanPablo-lt3us]

You are a foreigner as well.

[@FlagArmadaProductions]

Anyone know where I can get a Zaire cap like that one the guy at 14:56 is wearing? It's so cool.

[@heraldloshi1864]

Give me the factory,and I turn it around.Forget about this billionaire nonsense.Give it to a person with a business acumen,without any interference.Or harassments for that matter.

[@TemdriWorld]

Herald Loshi All you would need is the infrastructure to transport your goods from the factory to the rest of the country and continent. I am with you on that, I will join👍🏿✊🏿

[@mastercdric]

If you're black why not. There's an a lot of work to be done

[@carlojones8610]

Wrong they sat around for 20 years never inspired to work without pay until profits showed. And even the market not buying the product. they never make any native product. not the money but the motivations are what they need👂

[@heraldloshi1864]

@Carlos Jones so it is all about a weak work culture.Then they need to decolonize their minds.And this is where prudent leadership comes in.A benevolent dictatorship is what this place needs.I would like to imagine,what would happen if this plant was in say Bukavu.The people of Eastern Congo are go getters.They would try to make the best out of the worst situation.

[@mikeaman2008]

It can still be done if we come together!@@mastercdric

[@rickjames21]

He killed Patrice Lumumba. But I would be remiss if I didnt marvel at how he made Zaireans pride of their african heritage.

[@colint7743]

Speak of the misery brought to the Congo by Belgium.

[@ouriquerex3494]

The misery ? Belgium brought civilization.

[@agarjakendu]

@@ouriquerex3494 what an idiot. The Belgians reduced the population of Congo by 10%. King Leopold makes Hitler look like a choir boy

[@colint7743]

@@ouriquerex3494 Civilization? Japan modernized in 40yrs 1868 - 1912. From feudal society to modern society. Remarkable ! Unmatched in human history. Without outside interference.

[@peter-jantentijeookwelgeno7042]

colin thompson sorry but japan is different then africans. Ethiopia is free for the last 2000 years and nothing is done there lol

[@agarjakendu]

@@peter-jantentijeookwelgeno7042 Actually just after world war 2 broke out, Ethiopia was invaded by Italy, before having their arses whipped back to Europe.

[@veriteinternational]

US and France kept him there for a reason....

[@birikunzira7183]

And later abandoned him...what a shame what a humiliation he felt, was sickly broke a huge nation shattered divided and still very unstable...hell

[@juliusjuma2827]

Who is watching this due to this pandemic?? Viva Patrice

[@barrywhite5577]

Victims often find it hard to move on from their abuser.

[@tikibaybi]

First of all, there are Germans nostalgic about the Hitler's Era but you don't make documentaries about them because you know they are ill fragments of your society. You can't get the opinions of beneficiaries of tyrant and call that the Congolese opinion. And you say his rise into power was supported by Belgium and the USA but you didn't call that corrupt. This is the racist way European and American media portray Africa. The caption is very stupid.

[@zacharyhenderson2902]

He was a terrible dictator, but it's amazing how much Mobutu modernized the Congo, and how decrapid things have become since

[@jenniferhaynes8625]

Zachary Henderson,he had blood on his hands.

[@gamalsankara1388]

Jennifer Haynes every leader has blood on their hands,

[@tomastumino3454]

I think what happened was that Mobutu was a plunderer, but at least he was a local plunderer and there was some level of trickle-down. Since Kabila's rebellion the DRC is a destabilised mess, full of rebels, some of them taking what they plunder fully overseas.

[@theonly6359]

Tomás Tumino Somehow I believe that Kabila hates Congo 🇨🇩

[@DogonChild]

Hands off Africa

[@DogonChild]

@bishap global86 what's ur point?

[@JRHartley.]

Tell that to the Chinese.

[@DogonChild]

@@JRHartley. naaah... I'll tell that to everyone

[@JRHartley.]

@@DogonChild fair enough my man, but it's not everyone with their hands all over Africa. It is the Chinese that are slowly taking over, African Governments will be in debt to them for a very long time and they don't give a sh!t about Africa or its people.

[@DogonChild]

@@JRHartley. the comment made specifically directed at above post, interference in African affairs started way before china and that doesn't meant that china is not interfering or immune from critics of any sort

[@ayyodele]

Lumumba's spirit is seriously haunting these people.

[@MrRJS27]

The ones nostalgic for what they actually remember are quite old, because there were only four good years, 1965 through 1969. The rest are remembering something they didn't actually experience. You can read the very interesting late-1980s book "Rise and Decline of the Zairian State" about this.

[@realnewsoftheday2027]

When Mobutu was in power there wasn't a lot of killing or rape there was peace now we have genocide 16 millions Congolese killed by Rwanda and Uganda

[@realnewsoftheday2027]

What about Kagame and Museveni government they killed 16 million Congolese people

[@tuforu4]

Muzaveni must be SO RICH.

[@Indian_Tovarisch]

Mobotu still killed thousands of people he didn't liked and constantly spent billions for his own benefits like taking a private supersonic jet to Paris just for a doctor visit or whatever he literally was a slave of west and destoryed the entire country was causing anger before leaving

[@neiltherealdeal8266]

In Kenya we had our own mobutus whose children are now still running the state . They handed a lot to the british and whatever was left they gave to themselves thus condemning the majority of kenyans to abject poverty. I hope I live to see their fall.

[@aphrodite1699]

Ruto will never be President, he is a murderer.

[@carlsanchious8192]

I like that he, though it's extreme, enforced the mandatiate of the citezens to name their children African names....and for men to dress in African style clothing.....African cultural articles such as these should, even through force, be gladly obliged....,such things should be a gesture of honor and respect to a blessed people.....,. to have such beautiful culture and customs.

[@geletoz]

The irony of marrying an African woman named marrie Antoinette

[@kaijudude_]

You'd think the state would of seized Mobuto's old palace and made it into some government place or something

[@shanetonkin2850]

There was no state, by the time Mobuto left the country hadn’t been able to pay civil servants like the police of the military for years. People just stopped turning up to their jobs and focussed on looking after themselves- typically by looting their previous employer of anything of value they could find.

[@martymcfly5423]

It has historical value and shouldnt be changed at all. It should be protected and can become a tourist-attraction..

[@denismutabazi]

Indiscipline

[@kaijudude_]

@@denismutabazi Wanna elaborate there civilian?

[@denismutabazi]

@@kaijudude_ it would have been more valuable if it had been kept the way it was, instead they tore it apart. What value did they get from what they looted?

[@tambakongoh]

appreciate the moment

[@kwekunyameyie238]

These people are crazy, Lumumba is my pick! This just shows how men will ignore so much if you give them a position and a small amount of money. Lumumba wanted all of Africa to rise!

[@RoniForeva]

Congo has never had a chance to be the great country it could be. It is literally the most mineraly rich country in the word but the economically poorest because the entire world wants a piece of Congo’s resources

[@ncumisagarishe2733]

Roni that’s the case with the entire African continent

[@RoniForeva]

@@ncumisagarishe2733 yes, but I'd argue countries like botswana, Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya, even Nigeria has had more of a chance to govern and make something of itself than DRC. From independence till date DRC has been in on form of conflict/oppression till now. The perpetrators of this have been internal and external forces on the continent and abroad. I love Africa, I have so much hope and faith in the continent but DRC is one country I don't have too much hope in although I really wish time proves me wrong especially in my lifetime.

[@starman1144]

Can they change the name back to Zaire. It's weird to have two countries with the name Congo. And the name Zaire sounds cooler.

[@JuanPablo-lt3us]

it does

[@birikunzira7183]

Yes DRC is a long and not a local name, besides how democratic are they now , just get another name ..

[@anthonyndungu5431]

But the name congo is derived from the kingdom of old called kongo

[@vjcrazy3335]

They can also change the name to Maleba or Malebo after the Malaebo Falls then there won't be any confusion between the two countries current names.

[@SerbianCrusader]

@@birikunzira7183 the worst ranked country by Democracy Index of 2020.

[@monojakennedy_3758]

Go to West Nile region in Uganda and you'll realise that people still think Iddi Amin was the best president Uganda had ever had. Although of course internationally Amin was considered to be a dictator

[@grounddove4362]

This man said he is very upset because he knows how his /mabutu Resident use to be ....he was one of them who's got special treatment while other's in the Country suffering...

[@theCongoleseDude]

Thanks for doing this.

[@stephenbrand5661]

Zaire does sound better than DRC gotta admit

[@moha516]

Speak of the misery France brought in North Africa

[@jeffreycampbell992]

Not it has brought but is still doing.

[@davidanderson9664]

Misguided nostalgia for criminal dictators/ mass murderers (Mobutu, Stalin, etc) can only be fixed by better teaching of HSTORY. It. Is. Important! D.A., J.D., NYC

[@isibingotv2206]

its Mobutu not Mbutu and Zaire is not Zayire

[@mosestsarai8565]

Mbutu is more like it! I am Shona, and that word in my language is derogatory for the woman private part!! with many dictators raveging the African Continent, what a suitable name it is for one of them fallen villain or should I say scum of the Earth

[@thehoneydeev]

joseph kkabalila yes, you would think the first thing in their “research” would be to learn how to properly say the names of main characters at the heart of their documentary 👀🤷🏽‍♀️

[@zacharyhenderson2902]

@@thehoneydeev they're French, and certain words are pronounced differently in that language

[@kmodiselle1]

@@zacharyhenderson2902 you pronounce a name as is. Irrespective of dialect.

[@zacharyhenderson2902]

@@kmodiselle1 not true. George is pronounced 'hor-hay' in Spanish, Joshua is spelled and pronounced I-esus (Jesus) in Latin, etc., etc.

[@irfanbash]

Wake up, dear Congo people. Follow your own self. Don't let anyone dictate you. Dictators are not worth-praising. Educate your children to attain health and progress. Be proud Africans.

[@KachilaKelvin]

All is vanity

[@josephdale69]

The country looked so much better back then.

[@Unclemiffato100]

MUSEVENI has learned from MOBUTU. I see a morrow image of Mobutu in Museveni! He's the only man with a vision in Uganda ! Corruption is rampant among his crew of Liberators! And he also stands to become Life President ! After editing the constitution twice to suit his desires! He will probably on his death bed edit the constitution again to have the first deceased president head a country

[@anyiethyai1261]

At least uganda has seen progress under museveni

[@siszion3926]

@@anyiethyai1261 Are you kidding me?

[@M99-y3m]

Unfortunately Kenya is facing the same predicament. The butcher intents to extend presidential term

[@alcd6333]

The Belgian Congo is physically a magnificent place. It could be a grand paradise, but it needs a democracy. It also requires capital investments which do not end up in the accounts of corrupt rulers.

[@kotare86]

Belgian Congo? Should we refer to Belgium as the German Belgium because it was once occupied by Germany?

[@solari251]

"It also requires capital investments which do not end up in the accounts of corrupt rulers." That is the reason why African countries are incapable of taking off. The money just keeps ending up in the wrong hands.

[@gemb7986]

It’s not Belgian Congo. It’s the CONGO

[@alanmakoso1115]

Belgian Congo was trash. Blacks are forced into Catholicism and can only attend primary education.

[@SantiagoGeffen]

Belgian Congo? Dude, the Congo has been a sovereign country for years. Have some respect 🙏

[@JustinNgHC]

Weak democracy or strong dictatorship? Win the battle but lose the war? The results speak for themselves

[@deborahkobe9094]

He was so high and mighty when he came but the way things ended for him is so painful, you can see by the looks of this mansion

[@jessebarlow1277]

Who do they keep saying Mobuto? It's Mobutu. This error is everywhere I don't understand why

[@johnsanjuan9364]

Joseph Sese Seko Mobutu!

[@tradesigSignal]

Gbadolite is a paradise, believe me, I have been there. It is something to watch it and another to live it.

[@marcomosala850]

Land of my father' to grand fathers

[@nealblanchett2621]

He should've installed free market economy instead of central planning. Congo is rich in resources but not overpopulated. It would thrive

[@Joobajuba]

You made him evil. These typ of none sence is over. Hypos! Please live Congo alone

[@Joobajuba]

@bishap global86 am not in Europé idot

[@felicia4409]

he was evil wtf

[@Joobajuba]

@@felicia4409 wtf is wrong with your head

[@blackenclave957]

France really miss Mobutu

[@kadimamuamba]

This guy is killing the names 🤣😂😂

[@Su-35rdc]

Mobutu is not the Father of Democracy in Congo,because the Zaïre had never been a Democratic Country,that guy is just an adept of Mobutu’s tribe on trying to defend the Dictator of Zaïre,32 years of Leading a Country but not serious investment!Shame.

[@emmettcarter9209]

When they killed patrice lumuba thats when all the trouble started

[@ahmedheensaley5526]

We love Mobutu

[@g6686not]

Do not forget about Patrice Lamumba as well.

[@shunidavid8713]

I can not remeber mobutu evil .his your family member may be

[@justagapelove5204]

Live by the sword and die by the sword. Patrick lumumba ⚔ mubutu

[@denismutabazi]

"European lifestyle", which European lives like Mobutu?

[@TheMuzikall]

😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆

[@goofsterngafster8411]

Bro say what you want but the vibes of those homes was too tier

[@alexredeemed]

Let assume muboto was a dictator at least he left Zaire from undeveloped country to a civilized country with infrastructure schools building for people to reside in after the revolution what they got in Zaire luting kabella took over and transformed Zaire to a communist country destroyed every thing built in mobuto era when u throw some one u promise people to bring a good life for them but it didn’t happen that the reality of Zaire all respect for muboto

[@jimmason1072]

"TIME MARCHES ON....WHERE IT'S GOING MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW"

[@kakoozapeter9797]

how i wish someone in east african country knows this, the guy has been a president since 1986 up to now

[@rainbowodysseybyjonlion]

Forcing african people to get rid of names that were forced upon by foreign invaders, and encouraging people to wear clothes from their own culture/country? The nerve! Omg im so offended! >_>

[@elleno4119]

Lol.. when the guy says he worked hard and woke up early to know the general mood of country.Hillarious. Thieves work hard too?

[@uraninite8151]

Am I right that the MLC used the palace as a base in the second Congo war? Also were there many ex-FAZ soldiers in the ranks of the ALC ?

[@mikehunt3800]

is this wakanda?

[@yonasgeta8167]

Nop

[@mastercdric]

Yes. It's wakanda after they allowed the Europeans in

[@bigevil1001]

Lapis Lazuli The Mzungu has never saved anything. By now. 💋

[@cloviswanziguya6543]

I came here to watch a documentary on MOBUTU SESE SEKO KUKU NGBENDU WAZABANGA. I got one for "MBUTO SESSE SOKO" instead.

[@josianebk5217]

I hope you in France 24 will soon make the same kind of documentary about the leaders of Rwanda ( if you dare), Uganda, Burundi, Congo-Brazzaville, Cameroun, South Aftica/Jacob Zuma, Gabon and so on. I hope also that you can make the same thing about Sarkozy, France-Afrique and how the western countries invaded Lybia , causing chaos and creating poverty and desolation. I hope you can make the same kind of programme on how the USA invaded Irak and Afghanistan And I hope you will make a documentary on how Europeans invaded the rest of the world then, plundring, exploiting and stealing their natural ressources in differents forms up to day...

[@davidthiwa1073]

Just as an aside: his name is not "EM-buto" but Mobutu with a U at the end ("Mo-Boot-ooh")

[@donwaltz2798]

His real name was joseph mobuto

[@BeeBwakka]

@@donwaltz2798 his real name was Joseph-Désiré Mobutu

[@simonmbogo4133]

Zaire will be great again thank to the new president

[@clobbyhops]

Hard to believe this home was opulent and luxurious without authentic pictures to prove this

[@paulnantulya]

Gosh, this fellow cannot even pronounce "Mobutu". What a shame

[@veraaddoyobo8482]

France definitely knows how laugh at Africa

[@ungrateful-66]

For some reason, the Chinese don’t blame the rest of the world for colonizing them-and make no mistake, Europeans empires at one time or another, ruled MUCH of China...

[@shauncameron8390]

Also Japan.

[@misspascale9447]

this reporter has no clue how to say Mobutu's name. He butcher's it so badly that if it were not for the images of Mobutu I would have thought that he was referring to someone else.

[@allthingsspontaneous491]

He kept saying Gabandalight 😁💔

[@mazuba10]

Yeah, meanwhile it's pronounced Badoleeteh

[@nealblanchett2621]

What a story. All that wealth, wasted, in ruins

[@vincentsebina7182]

Why wasn't this maintained for further purposes?

[@isaackidega1790]

Museveni of Uganda had accumulated lots of ill gotten but all that means nothing. He will leave behind everything like Mobutu

[@vuzaragodwin629]

Make a documentary about sakorzy's and Leopold's war crimes as well.

[@vilhokalitheninahambo8507]

Government must renovate that beautiful building to turn into the nice hotel

[@cleophacephelician6739]

That place is the sign of the cursed abominations. The dictator's reign irrigated by human blood!! Innovating it is inciting God's anger!!

[@thespikespeigel]

Who is M’buto?

[@jahglemanvibes]

Huge opportunity to create a thriving economy out of the strucure that has stayed domant for over 21 years.