From Zaire to Congo

Introduction

The Congo, is one of the largest countries in the cotinent; it's located in Central Africa. Congo's neighborhood countries such as Sudan, Zambia, Angola and Tanzania benefit alot because the congo is rich in natural resources such as diamonds, cobalt,and copper the Congo also has one of the largest forest reserves in Africa; and about half of the hydroelectric potential of the continent. Belgian Congo,the former colony in Africa that was ruled by Belgium from 1908 until June 30, 1960, when it became an independent republic; it is now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

zaire map

zaire

In October 1971 the Congo was named "zaire" by our former leader Mobutu Sese Seko,he wanted the country to have a more authentic African name! “Zaire” is a variation of a term meaning “great river” in local African languages. He also ordered the people to change their European names to African ones, and priests were warned that they would face five years' in prison if they were caught baptizing any Zairian child with a European name.

zaire flag

Congolese Independence

On june 30th, 1960, DR Congo declared independence from its former colonial ruler Belgium. Patrice Lumumba was named the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, though he served for only three brief months.