Name, from 1971-97, of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (5)

I believe the answer is:

zaire

(Other definitions for zaire that I've seen before include "Central African country's former name" , "Former name for the Democratic Republic of Congo" , "Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly" , "Old name for African republic" , "somewhere abroad, recalled?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.

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