1997 in Zaire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
The following lists events that happened during 1997 in Zaire.
Incumbents
- President: Mobutu Sese Seko
- Prime Minister: Léon Kengo wa Dondo – Étienne Tshisekedi – Likulia Bolongo
Events
| Date | event |
| Sizarail is dissolved and all operations are taken over by the Société nationale des chemins de fer du Congo. | |
| 18 February | United Nations Security Council Resolution 1097 is adopted unanimously, in which the Council endorsed a five-point peace plan to address the situation in eastern Zaire. |
| 29 March | Société Minière et Industrielle du Kivu is put into liquidation. |
| 16 May | Donatien Mahele Lieko Bokungu, army chief of staff, is killed by Mobutu loyalists. |
| 16 May | First Congo War concludes when forces under Laurent-Désiré Kabila enter Kinshasa |
| 17 May | Zaire is renamed Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bank of Zaire becomes Central Bank of the Congo |