When Dr. Jerry Galloway returned to the Congo in 1980, it was in the midst of the reign of Joseph-Desire Mobutu as military dictator and President. Mobutu was in power from 1965-1997. Mobutu established a one-party state. All power was concentrated in his hands.
During his reign, Mobutu built a highly centralized state. He amassed a large personal fortune through economic exploitation and corruption. The nation suffered from uncontrolled inflation, large debts and underwent massive currency devaluations.
Mobutu faced many challenges early in his rule. He was able to turn most of his opposition into submission. If patronage did not work, he dealt with them forcefully.
In 1966, four cabinet members were arrested on charges of complicity in an attempted coup. They were tried by a military tribunal, and then publicly executed. The open air spectacle was witnessed by over 50,000 people.
1967 marked the debut of the Popular Movement of the Revolution (MPR). Until 1990, it was the nation’s only legal political party.
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