Mobutu Accepts Opposition Cabinet, Ends Zaire Deadlock
President Mobutu Sese Seko accepted Zaire’s first opposition-led crisis government Monday, three weeks after riots devastated the sprawling Central African country, state radio and television said.
“Finally the new government is here,” opposition Prime Minister Etienne Tshisekedi said on television as he announced the government to end a two-week deadlock.
Appointment of the opposition-led Cabinet ended the stranglehold on power that Mobutu has had for 26 years. He seized power from an elected government.
Tshisekedi told the nation of 40 million people that he has formed a government of technocrats to lead the country to elections.
Riots three weeks ago killed more than 100 people. They also caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage.
At the height of the power struggle between the two men earlier this month, Tshisekedi described Mobutu, who turned 61 on Monday, as a “human monster.”
To break the deadlock, Tshisekedi, 58, a lawyer and longtime Mobutu opponent, allowed Mobutu supporters to retain control of several key ministries, including defense and foreign affairs.
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