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Zaire's absent, ailing leader says he's ready to fight back
November 20, 1996
Web posted at: 8:00 p.m. EST (0100 GMT)From Correspondent Jim Bitterman
FRENCH RIVIERA (CNN) -- Perched high on the rock cliffs overlooking the rich watering holes of Monte Carlo -- and far from the chaos of central Africa -- Mobutu Sese Seko is convalescing on the well-guarded and manicured grounds of his stately villa.
As Zaire heads for collapse, Mobutu, Africa's longest ruling dictator, has been absent from the country for three and a half months, recovering from cancer treatment he received in Switzerland.
Now a massive refugee crisis and war in eastern Zaire -- with more than 1 million refugees fleeing the fighting between Zairian troops and rebels backed by neighboring Rwanda -- is threatening to tear Zaire apart.
Mobutu, who has no obvious successor, says his cancer is cured and that he will soon return to confront the enemies who threaten to break up his country.
"They stabbed me in the back when I was away," Mobutu said. "Do you think this would have happened if I had been there? No, never."
Ethnic Tutsis, who have lived for generations in Zaire, have rebelled and taken the eastern territory from the disheveled Zairian army.
As thousands of refugees head back home to an uncertain future, several countries are having second thoughts about a military mission to help the refugees.
The United States has already reversed a decision to commit ground troops and now says it will lend only logistical support.
But Mobutu insists that an international intervention force is still necessary to help what he believes is more than a million Rwandans who remain in Zaire.
"Everything's destroyed and no one's even mentioned aid for Zaire," Mobutu said. "Zaire, which has done everything it could to shelter refugees."
Mobutu's aides suggest that international troops could help the government regain control over eastern regions of Zaire taken by rebels supported by the Tutsi-led government of Rwanda.
Newly discovered documents, however, indicate Mobutu's government may have first encouraged rebellion by permitting weapons to cross its territory to arm Hutu militia fighting against the Rwandan government.
"That just not true..." Mobutu said. "It's all very unclear."
Unlike some African chiefs who have been overthrown after leaving their countries, Mobutu, who took power in a 1965 coup after independence from Belgium, is confident he will be greeted warmly when he returns to Zaire, although he admits there could be problems.
Mobutu said that, health permitting, he will leave his French villa and return to Zaire within a few weeks, an event he believes will unify and stabilize the country.
From his perspective, the task may appear easier than the reality.
Related stories:
- Zaire humanitarian mission to go on - November 19, 1996
- Exodus from Zaire slows, further sparking debate over relief mission - November 18, 1996
- Rwandan refugee flow heavy, but slowing - November 17, 1996
- Refugee tide into Rwanda overwhelms aid workers - November 17, 1996
- Exodus prompts U.S. to rethink aid mission - November 16, 1996
- Image Gallery - Zaire: the long trek home - November 16, 1996
Related sites:
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- The Care Organization
- American Red Cross: Crisis in Eastern Zaire
- Zaire Watch
- U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees
- Rwanda Page
- City.Net:Zaire
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