Town of Gbadolite. In his native village in the northern province of Equateur, Mobutu built a complete new town in the 70ties. The city had all the features of modernity: running water, electricity, paved roads; things no other city in Zaire possessed.

Administrative building for Kalemie’s train station (former Albertville).

Martyrs Stadium, Kinshasa. Built between 1988 and 1993 by the Chinese, the stadium is part of Mobutu’s strategy to put Zairian sport on the international limelight. He wanted to replace the old Tata Raphaël’s stadium, where the legendary fight between Mohamed Ali and George Foreman was held. Despite a 38 million dollars’ cost, the structure had to undergo several restorations in 2008 and 2014.

Inga dam, Bas Congo province. Workers showering under torn pipes. Designed by Belgian settlers, Mobutu was the developer of the enormous hydropower project on the Congo River, initially meant to bring electricity in every Zairian household. Inga I was finalised in 1972. Due to poor maintenance and mismanagement, the dam nowadays only works at 20 per cent of its capacity. DR Congo still is one of the least electrified country worldwide.

Obsessed with modernity, Mobutu equipped the country with a telecommunication network by satellites. Thirteen ground stations were built by a French company. Technology is then still young, and Kinshasa’s station is the only one fully efficient. Once more, maintenance costs and licence fees are too heavy on the Zairian state. However, this technology helped Zaire to become famous worldwide as it was able to live broadcast the fight of the century in 1974.

The smelter of Maluku, Kinshasa province. The energy perspectives from the Inga dams created industrial hubs all over the country. Maluku’s smelter was dedicated to treat iron ore exclusively. The smelter construction cost 9.3 billion Belgian francs (around 230 million euros) and worked only for five years at 10 per cent of its capacity.

Statue of the “Nelson Mandela” roundabout, city centre of Kinshasa. Built when the future South African president was released from prison.

Town of Gbadolite. In his native village in the northern province of Equateur, Mobutu built a complete new town in the 70ties. The city had all the features of modernity: running water, electricity, paved roads; things no other city in Zaire possessed.

Lobby of the National Congolese Radio and Television (RTNC). Built in 1976, the “city of Zaire’s Voice” was equipped with highly modern infrastructure and efficient and innovative technologies. One year later, Zaire’s Voice works only on one-fourth of its capacity, the building is half empty. Maintenance costs are too high: lifts, diesel generators and air-conditioning simply just break.

Fresco from the battle of Kamanyola’s monument. South Kivu.

Mobutu’s throne, museum of Mount Ngaliema, Kinshasa.

Monument of the Kamanyola battle, South Kivu. In 1963, Colonel Mobutu wins a crucial battle against the Simba rebels in the plains of Kamanyola. When turned president, he asked North Korea to design a monument commemorating his military exploits. A statue of him was erected at the centre of the monument. Mobutu’s statue was stolen by the AFDL rebels, Laurent Désiré Kabila’s group, while marching to conquer Kinshasa and more broadly, power.

Palace of Marie Antoinette. Mobutu’s first wife wanted a building dedicated to the first cardiology centre in Central Africa. The disproportionate project was abandoned upon her death. The colossal concrete structure is nowadays occupied by homeless families.

Kinshasa’s university.

Bambou palace. The construction of Mobutu’s first palace started in 1973. Built Gbadolite’s city centre, the building is enormous. Later called the « Versailles of the jungle », it spreads on 15 000 square meters, levelled on three floors. Mobutu himself considered it too big. He gave it to the state after having built his new residency.