a country in
central Africa, on the equator. In early 1960 Belgian and Congolese leaders moved closer to
agreement on a
future independent Congo republic, but continuing
dissension and tribal unrest in the
Congo cast serious doubts on its
ability to manage its own
affairs. Finally, Belgium granted independence to the
Congo in June 1960; however, independence seemed to intensify the disintegration of the
Congo as rival tribes and factions continued to fight each other. The country's name was changed to Zaire in 1971.
—3rd South African published appr gls (14.4.92)