DRC was formerly called Zaire. It was renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1997, after previously being the Republic of Zaire from 1971 to 1997.

Quick Scoop

  • Current name: Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  • Former name: Zaire.
  • Earlier colonial-era names also included Belgian Congo and Congo-Léopoldville.

In short, if you mean the country’s most recent previous name, it was Zaire.