laurent-désiré kabila (november 27, 1939 – january 16, 2001), or simply laurent kabila ( ), was a congolese revolutionary and politician. he was the third president of the democratic republic of the congo from may 17, 1997, when he overthrew mobutu sese seko. he was assassinated by one of his bodyguards on january 16, 2001, aged 61. he was replaced as president eight days later by his son joseph.