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  • Title: Zaire.
    Author: United States. Department of State. Bureau of Public Affairs.
    Journal: Backgr Notes Ser; 1988 Aug; ():1-8. PubMed ID: 12178026.
    Abstract:
    Focus in this discussion of Zaire is on the following: geography; the people; history, government and political conditions, foreign relations, and relations between Zaire and the US. The Republic of Zaire, formerly the Democratic Republic of the Congo, lies on the Equator, with 1/3 of the country to the north and 2/3 to the south. In 1982 Zaire's population was estimated to be 32 million with an annual growth rate of 3.1%. The infant mortality rate is 130/1000 with a life expectancy of 51 years. As many as 250 ethnic groups have been distinguished and named. It is believed that Zaire was populated as early as 10,000 years ago. In 1482, the Portuguese navigator Diego Cao arrived at the mouth of the Congo River. Early seafarers stayed near the mouth of the river and named the area Congo. The area remained virtually unknown to most Europeans until Henry Morton Stanley journeyed from East Africa across the continent to the mouth of the Congo River between 1874-77. In a 1958 speech at Brazzaville, General Charles de Gaulle gave French African colonies a choice between complete and partial independence. After that, the Belgians could no longer suppress Congolese independence movements. Independence was achieved June 30, 1960. A key political issue in Zaire following independence was whether the country was to have a federal system of government or unitary system with a strong central government. From 1960-66, a modified federal system gave a degree of political power to the provincial governments. The country has a highly centralized 1-party government. The Popular Movement of the Revolution (MPR), founded by President Mobutu in 1967, has been designated successively the country's "first," "supreme," and then, by virtue of the August 1974 constitution, its "only" political institution. Politically, 1978-87 has been a relatively calm period for Zaire, and security has been better than at almost any time since independence. At independence, Zaire had one of the most highly developed and diversified economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Agriculture is the base of the economy, but mining generates much revenue. Zaire's extractive industries have provided the main impetus for economic development. During the 1970s, Zaire was hit hard by the worldwide decline in prices for copper and its other main exports. Despite recent high copper prices, formidable obstacles to economic recovery remain. Zaire pursues a policy of moderate nonalignment between East and West and plays an important role in international and regional forums. US bilateral economic and military assistance to Zaire from independence through fiscal year 1987 was $1,145.6 million.
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