What does the phrase"bled zaire dry" mean???

Question

I'm researching Zaire (in Africa) for a school project. I found out that Mobuto Sese Soko "bled Zaire dry" I want to know what that means since I can't seem to find it anywhere else. HELP!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

To bleed something dry means to take out of it everything of value or use. If you cut someone, they continue to bleed until they have no more blood in their body. They will die when their heart cannot pump faster than their blood loss. In this context, the expression refers to his country, not a human body.