What help Mobutu take control of Congo?

Mobutu Sese Seko took control of Congo (then Zaire) through a combination of military support, political maneuvering, and manipulation of ethnic divisions. He initially gained prominence by leading a coup in 1965, backed by Western powers during the Cold War, particularly the United States, which saw him as a bulwark against communism. Mobutu consolidated power by fostering a personality cult, suppressing dissent, and eliminating rivals. His regime was characterized by authoritarian rule, corruption, and patronage networks that maintained his grip on power for over three decades.