Mobutu

¹ British

/ məˈbuːtuː /

noun

the former name (until 1997) of Lake Albert 1 See Albert 1

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Mobutu ² British

/ məˈbuːtuː /

noun

Sese Seko (ˈsɛsɛ ˈsɛkəʊ), original name Joseph. 1930–97, Zaïrese statesman; president of Zaïre (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) (1970–97); accused of corruption and overthrown by rebels in 1997; died in exile

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mobutu saw Andre-Bruno as a threat to his position, and the loyalty between them fractured.

From BBC • Nov. 28, 2025

After enjoying a certain success since opening in mid-October, the Mobutu exhibition has been extended indefinitely.

From Barron's • Nov. 13, 2025

Ever since Mobutu died from prostate cancer in exile in Morocco in 1997, following his toppling by Laurent-Desire Kabila's Uganda and Rwanda-backed rebellion, the former dictator's legacy has divided the DRC.

From Barron's • Nov. 13, 2025

In 1997, he was part of the Rwanda-backed forces who ended up seizing power in DR Congo, ousting long-serving ruler Mobutu Sese Seko.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2025

And Mobutu, already well assured of his throne.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023