Mobutu Sese Seko , who ruled Zaire , now renamed Congo , was the ultimate Big Man . He gave himself a string of titles that outdid even Idi Amin . His name means ‘ The Cock that Covers all the Chickens ’ , and his full title read , ‘ Father of the Nation , Guide , Helmsman , Chief , Messiah , the All -Powerful Warrior who Goes from Conquest to Conquest , Leaving Fire in his Wake ’ ... He treated the country as its founder , King Leopold of Belgium , had done : a private estate that he owned outright , its people his slaves .

Richard Dowden, Africa: Altered States, Ordinary Miracles  Granta Publications. Kindle Edition 77