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Events on Saturday 17 May 1997 1
1997Mobutu Sese Seko overthrown in ZaireLaurent-Desire Kabila takes power, renames country CongoRebel leader Laurent-Desire Kabila's forces captured Kinshasa, ending Mobutu Sese Seko's 32-year rule over Zaire. Kabila declared himself president and renamed the country the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mobutu fled into exile and died months later.