Zaire (1971–1997)

Republic of Zaire

Mobutu Sese Seko renamed the Congo 'Zaire' in 1971 as part of his authenticité campaign — new name, new flag, new dress code. Rebels toppled him in 1997 and restored the name Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The 1974 Rumble in the Jungle — Ali vs Foreman in Kinshasa — was bankrolled by Mobutu partly to put Zaire's new name on the world's front pages.