THE NORTH RIDING PROJECT

In the jungle of the equatorial region, the home of his ancestors, 1,000 kilometres north of Kinshasa, acres of trees were felled and builders arrived.  Mobutu constructed a palace in the village of Gbadolite, which became his jungle seat, founded on the proceeds of copper, diamonds and gold.  Italianate fountains threw jets of scarce water into the air.  Stone columns supported high ornate ceilings and shimmering Venetian chandeliers.  In the ballroom, guests could skate across marble as smooth as frozen lakes.  Artists set to work on frescoes of rainforests and brightly coloured birds.  Architects designed a system of inter-locking pools.  The building’s first incarnation was judged too big, and another was constructed, with cosier gold-embossed rooms and shaded Japanese pagodas where Mobutu could enjoy his favourite pink champagne.  Soon statesmen and celebrities were being entertained at his ‘Versailles in the jungle’ where they were showered with gifts of diamonds, vintage wines and finely carved ivory.  The procession of partygoers need not have worried about accessing such a remote spot.  Mobutu had a runway built which was so long that it could accommodate the supersonic Concorde.

Kenyon/Dictatorland