Kasavubu, Joseph

(born 1910?, Tshela, Belgian Congo—died March 24, 1969, Boma) First president (1960–65) of independent Congo (Kinshasa). He held a variety of administrative posts before agreeing to serve as president in Patrice Lumumba's government.

When Katanga province under Moise Tshombe seceded a few days after independence, Kasavubu threw his support to Tshombe and, together with Col. J. Mobutu (&see; Mobutu Sese Seko), ousted Lumumba. Four years later a split between Kasavubu and Tshombe enabled Mobutu to seize control.

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