Joseph Kasavubu

Joseph Kasavubu (c. 1913-1969), first president of the Republic of the Congo (now Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1960-1965), born near Tsehla. A teacher and government clerk, he was elected president of the Bakongo Alliance (Alliance des Ba-Kongo, or ABAKO) in 1954, emerging as a spokesman for Congolese rights under Belgian rule. When the country achieved independence in 1960, he was elected president. Embroiled in a power struggle with Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba, whom he dismissed, Kasavubu was temporarily removed by the army under General Mobutu Sese Seko late in 1960, but was soon reinstated. Until his final overthrow by Mobutu in 1965, Kasavubu was the major force holding the country together in its difficult early years.