Military of the Democratic Republic of the Congo-Zaire

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Revision as of 09:11, 6 December 2007

The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo-Zaire (French: Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo-Zaïre (FARDCZ)) is the state military organization responsible for defending the Democratic Republic of Congo-Zaire. The FARDCZ is being rebuilt amid the process of ending a brutal civil war which has killed and maimed millions and continues without end.

The FARDCZ is dominated by its land forces but also includes a small air force and a smaller navy. Together the three services may number around 115,000-130,000 personnel. The National Congolese Police (PNC) are not part of the Armed Forces. In general, there is very little coherent information available on the FARDCZ.

The government in the capital city Kinshasa and the country's bilateral partners are attempting to create a viable force with the ability to provide the DRC with stability and security. However, this process is being hampered by corruption, the near-impotence of the government, and inadequate donor coordination. The various military units now grouped under the FARDCZ banner are some of the most unstable in Africa after years of war and underfunding.

On December 3, 2007, the military once took again took center stage in the political arena with the ascent to power of General Kabika Tshinyama via a bloodless coup d'état. Tshinyama has promised to restore peace, stamp out corruption, democratize the country, and revive the economy, but the task ahead of him is a daunting one, and it remains to be seen how committed he is to his promises.

Command Structure

• FARDCZ chief of staff: Major General Sungilanga Kisempia (PPRD)
• FARDCZ land forces chief of staff: General Sylvain Buki (RCD-G)
• FARDCZ navy chief of staff: General Major Amuli Bahigwa (MLC)
• FARDCZ air force chief of staff: Brigadier General Bitanihirwa Kamara (MLC)
• 1st Military Region/Bandundu: Brigadier General Moustapha Mukiza (MLC)
• 2nd Military Region/Bas-Congo: .Unknown
• 3rd Military Region/Equateur: Brigadier-General Mulubi Bin Muhemedi (PPRD)
• 4th Military Region/Kasai-Occidental: Brigadier-General Sindani Kasereka (RCD-K/ML)
• 5th Military Region/Kasai Oriental: General Rwabisira Obeid (RCD)
• 6th Military Region/Katanga: Brigadier-General Nzambe Alengbia (MLC)
• 7th Military Region/Maniema: Brigadier-General Widi Mbulu Divioka (RCD-N)
• 8th Military Region/North Kivu: General Gabriel Amisi (RCD)
• 9th Military Region/Province Orientale: Major-General Bulenda Padiri (Mayi-Mayi)
• 10th Military Region/South Kivu: Major Mbuja Mabe (PPRD)

Land Forces

Comprising an estimated 100,000 personnel, the Land Forces' effectiveness is compromised by rampant corruption among the officer corps; insubordination, low morale, and poor training and pay among soldiers; and largely inoperable, outdated equipment. In addition, human rights abuses by the military continue to proliferate; crimes committed include murder, robbery, and rape. Rarely are the perpetrators brought to justice. Reforming the Land Forces ranks high on General Tshinyama's list of priorities for the country.

Attempting to list the equipment available to the DRC's Land Forces is difficult; most figures are unreliable estimates based on known items delivered in the past. Much of the Land Force's equipment is non-operational due to insufficient maintenance – in 2002 only 20 percent of the Land Force's armored vehicles were estimated as being serviceable.

However, shortly after General Tshinyama's coup, the Empire of Brazil donated several retired vehicles (still operable and in excellent condition) for use by the Congolese military; they are in the process of being delivered. The following vehicles are being delivered:

• 128 Leopard 1A1 main battle tanks
• 91 M60A3 main battle tanks
• 112 M41B/C Walker Bulldog light tanks
• 409 EE-9 Cascavel armored cars
• 213 EE-11 Urutu armored personnel carriers
• 584 M113A1 armored personnel carriers

Aside from Brazil's donation, most of the country's hardware is believed to include the following (note that the numbers listed are only estimates, and cannot be verified):

• 30 Type 59 main battle tanks
• 20 T-55 main battle tanks
• 40+ Type 62 light tanks
• 40+ Panhard AML armored cars
• 20 BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles
• Unspecified number of the following armored personnel carriers: M113, Type 63, Casspir, M-3 Panhard, TH 390 Fahd, Wolf Turbo 2
• Unspecified number of M116 75mm pack howitzers
• Unspecified number of D-30 122mm howitzers
• 30 multiple rocket launchers (type unknown)

The quantity and serviceability of most of this equipment is not known, but most reports estimate numbers to be low, and quality even lower.

Navy

The state of the Navy - long neglected and allowed to fall into decline bordering on disrepair - is said to be 'in a state of near total disarray.' The Navy has approximately 1,000 personnel, and a total of 8 patrol craft, of which only one is operational, a Shanghai II Type 062 class gunboat designated 102. There are also five other Shanghai II Type 062s along with 2 Swiftships which are currently non-operational, though some of these ships may be restored to service in the future. The Navy also operates barges and small patrol craft armed with machine guns.

Air Force

All military aircraft in the DRC are operated by the Air Force, which has an estimated strength of 1,800 personnel and is organised into two Air Groups. These Groups command five wings and nine squadrons, of which not all are operational. 1 Air Group is located at Kinshasa and consists of Liaison Wing, Training Wing and Logistical Wing and has a strength of five squadrons. 2 Tactical Air Group is located at Kaminia and consists of Pursuit and Attack Wing and Tactical Transport Wing and has a strength of four squadrons.

Like the other services, the Congolese Air Force is not capable of carrying out its responsibilities. Few of the Air Force's aircraft are currently flyable or capable of being restored to service and it is unclear whether the Air Force is capable of maintaining even unsophisticated aircraft.

As of December 2007, the Air Force is believed to include the following aircraft:

• 8 Aermacchi MB 326GB trainers
• 6 Aermacchi MB 326K light attack aircraft
• 2 Aérospatiale Alouette III SA 316B utility helicopters
• 4 Aérospatiale Puma SA 330 transport helicopters
• 1 Antonov An-26 tactical transport
• 1 Britten-Norman Islander BN-2A utility transport
• 12 Cessna 150 utility aircraft
• 3 Cessna 310 utility aircraft
• 2 de Havilland Canada DHC-5D Buffalo tactical transports
• 4 Douglas C-47 tactical transports
• 1 Eurocopter Cougar AS 332 transport helicopter
• 2 Lockheed C-130H tactical transports
• 1 Mikoyan MiG-23MS fighter
• 1 Mikoyan MiG-23UB fighter
• 6 Mil Mi-35 attack helicopters
• 1 Mil Mi-26 transport helicopter
• 10 Reims Cessna 337 FTB 337 MILROLE liaison aircraft
• 4 Sukhoi Su-25K attack aircraft

Republican Guard

In addition to the other branches of the armed forces, there is a Republican Guard presidential force, formerly known as the Special Presidential Security Group (GSSP). FARDCZ military officials state that the Garde Républicaine is not the responsibility of FARDC, but the Head of State. Apart from Article 140 of the Law on the Army and Defence, no legal stipulation on the DRC's Armed Forces makes provision for the GR as a distinct unit within the national army. In February 2005, former President Joseph Kabila passed a decree which appointed the GR's commanding officer and 'repealed any previous provisions contrary' to that decree. The GR is more than 10,000 strong, and has better working conditions and is paid regularly, but still commits rapes and robberies nearby their bases.