Who was Mobutu Sese Seko?

Mobutu Sese Seko was a Congolese politician and military officer who served as the President of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) from 1965 until 1997. He came to power through a coup d'état, establishing an authoritarian regime characterized by corruption, nepotism, and the cult of personality. Mobutu's government was supported by Western nations during the Cold War, primarily due to his anti-communist stance. His rule ended when he was ousted by rebel forces led by Laurent-Désiré Kabila.