KASAVUBU, JOSEPH

born 1910?, Tshela, Belgian Congo

died March 24, 1969, Boma

First president (1960–65) of independent Congo (Kinshasa).

He held a variety of administrative posts before agreeing to serve as president in Patrice Lumumba 's government. When Katanga province under Moise Tshombe seceded a few days after independence, Kasavubu threw his support to Tshombe and, together with Col. J. Mobutu (see Mobutu Sese Seko ), ousted Lumumba. Four years later a split between Kasavubu and Tshombe enabled Mobutu to seize control.

Kasavubu

AP/Wide World Photos