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Mobutu Sese Seko's body to return to Congo, says Kabila | Mobutu Sese Seko's body to return to Congo, says Kabila |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Democratic Republic of Congo's government will repatriate the body of ex-ruler Mobutu Sese Seko in agreement with his family, President Joseph Kabila has said. | The Democratic Republic of Congo's government will repatriate the body of ex-ruler Mobutu Sese Seko in agreement with his family, President Joseph Kabila has said. |
Mr Mobutu is buried in Morocco, where he died in 1997 after being overthrown in a rebellion by Mr Kabila's father. | Mr Mobutu is buried in Morocco, where he died in 1997 after being overthrown in a rebellion by Mr Kabila's father. |
He was a hated figure among many Congolese, but the country has been hit by instability since he was ousted. | He was a hated figure among many Congolese, but the country has been hit by instability since he was ousted. |
Mr Kabila's gesture is seen as an attempt to promote reconciliation. | Mr Kabila's gesture is seen as an attempt to promote reconciliation. |
Mr Kabila won disputed elections in 2007 and is battling a rebellion in the east of the country. | Mr Kabila won disputed elections in 2007 and is battling a rebellion in the east of the country. |
Allied sons | Allied sons |
The president's made the announcement in a rare parliamentary address in which he pledged to create a new unity government. | The president's made the announcement in a rare parliamentary address in which he pledged to create a new unity government. |
"This government will include members of the ruling majority as well as the opposition and civil society," he said. | "This government will include members of the ruling majority as well as the opposition and civil society," he said. |
BBC Africa analyst Ibrahima Diane says Mr Kabila is likely to have consulted Mr Mobutu's son, Nzanga Mobutu, before announcing that the ex-ruler will be reburied in DR Congo. | BBC Africa analyst Ibrahima Diane says Mr Kabila is likely to have consulted Mr Mobutu's son, Nzanga Mobutu, before announcing that the ex-ruler will be reburied in DR Congo. |
Mobutu Sese Seko is still fondly remembered by his supporters who believe one of his achievements was to keep the vast country united, he says. | |
Nzanga Mobutu is an MP who is now an ally of Mr Kabila, he adds. | Nzanga Mobutu is an MP who is now an ally of Mr Kabila, he adds. |
Mobutu Sese Seko fled DR Congo as rebels, led by Mr Kabila's father Laurent Kabila, advanced on the capital, Kinshasa, in 1997. | Mobutu Sese Seko fled DR Congo as rebels, led by Mr Kabila's father Laurent Kabila, advanced on the capital, Kinshasa, in 1997. |
His critics accused him of being a ruthless and corrupt ruler who crushed internal dissent and plundered DR Congo's mineral resources. | His critics accused him of being a ruthless and corrupt ruler who crushed internal dissent and plundered DR Congo's mineral resources. |
He had also spent millions of dollars on a palace for himself in Gbadolite, deep in the rain forest, which was ransacked after he fled DR Congo. | He had also spent millions of dollars on a palace for himself in Gbadolite, deep in the rain forest, which was ransacked after he fled DR Congo. |
Mr Mobutu came to power in a coup and ruled DR Congo, which he named Zaire, for more than 30 years. | Mr Mobutu came to power in a coup and ruled DR Congo, which he named Zaire, for more than 30 years. |
He died at the age of 66, just months after he was exiled. |
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