Flat Earth: Twin billing
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.AND NOW, Despot] - our weekly glimpse into the lives of some of the world's most unusual leaders. This week the spotlight turns restlessly to Zaire and its light-fingered dictator, Mobutu Sese Seko. Being twice the man that most of us are, Mr Mobutu naturally should have twice the woman by his side. And so he does: actually, she's two women, lovely identical twins Bobi and - well, no one seems to know what the other one's name is, not even Marie Claire, which ran a feature on the sisters in this month's issue. That aside, the sight of the pair of them, one Mobutu's wife and one his mistress, makes the heart sink a little. Ravaged Third World countries can perhaps afford one Imelda Marcos-type figure. But two, both demanding pearl- encrusted gowns and foie gras and ghastly oil paintings of themselves . . . The propects for Zaire look darker than ever.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments