Decline and fall of the men who tyrannised Africa
Mobutu leaves Swiss hide-out
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Zairean dictator, General Mobutu Sese Seko, pictured right, arrived in Nice yesterday after hours of speculation about whether he would leave Switzerland, where he has been recovering from an operation, and if he did, whether he would be allowed into France.
Although Mr Mobutu, who is 66, owns a villa on the Riviera near Monaco and a flat in Paris, he has, in effect, been persona non grata in France since 1994, though there have been clues this year that he has mended his relationship with President Jacques Chirac.
He was said to have looked tired when he left his hotel for Geneva airport. Hotel staff made a point of saying that he settled his bill.
The Zairean leader, who has been in power for 31 years, had been in Switzerland since August, where he was being treated for prostate cancer.
He had been operated on at the Lausanne University hospital before retreating to the luxury of the Beau-Rivage hotel, where he was said to hold extravagant court, but it is believed that he has stayed on in Switzerland because it was diplomatically convenient. If he returns to Zaire he faces severe difficulties in restoring order to the country.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments