a country in
central Africa, on the equator: a former Belgian
colony, 1908 - 1960. It gained independence from Belgium in 1960, but the new
Republic of the
Congo was soon torn by ethnic and personal rivalries. The
ensuing civil war, which
involved United Nations forces, Belgian troops and US and Soviet support of opposing factions did not end until 1963. The country's name was changed to Zaire in 1971.
—SHSBC Binder 20 Approved Glossary