I have done extensive reading on Congo/Zaire, I find massive fuckups completely fascinating. This reminds me of a joke that circulated long ago in Zaire.

Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan and Mobutu Sésé Seko were in a plane. After flying for a while, Thatcher wonders where they are. Reagan sticks his hand out the window and says, "We're over the United States."
Mobutu replies, "How do you know?"
"I just felt the torch on the Statue of Liberty."
A number of hours goes by and Reagan asks Thatcher where she thinks they are.
Thatcher sticks her arm outside the window, is thoughtful and replies, "We are over England."
"How do you know?" asks Mobutu.
"I just felt the hands on Big Ben."
A number of hours goes by and Thatcher asks Mobutu where he thinks they are.
Mobutu sticks his hand out the window and says, "Ah yes, we are definitely over Zaire!"
Both Reagan and Thatcher reply, "But how can you be so sure?"
"Someone nicked my watch."