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 Moise Tshombe seceded a few days after independence, Kasavubu threw his support to Tshombe and, together with Col. J. Mobutu (see {{link=Mobutu Sese Seko">Mobutu Sese Seko ), ousted Lumumba. Four years later a split between Kasavubu and Tshombe enabled Mobutu to seize control.
Kasavubu
AP/Wide World Photos