Table of Contents

Introduction 3

Overview - nomenclature - the Force Publique in 1960

Outline Chronology 7

Independence and the Secession Crisis, 1960-63 8

The Force Publique and ANC - Belgian intervention force -ONUC - Katanga - South Kasai and Orientale

The Orientale Revolt, 1964-65 14

The ANC in 1964 - rebel forces: APL 'Simbas'

Formation of 5e Brigade Mécanisée

Foreign interventions: Belgian staff and services - CIA Cubans - Belgian paratroops - Guevara's Cubans

The mercenary mutinies, 1966 & 1967

Mobutu's Congo/Zaire, 1967-96 20

The FAZ in the 1970s: DITRAC - Division 'Kamanyola' -incursions: 'Shaba I', 1977 - 'Shaba II', 1978

The FAZ in the 1980s: presidential security formations ? SARM - the late 1980s: deployments - equipment - police units

The crisis of the early 1990s

The AFDL Revolt, 1996-97 33

Rwandan incursions - rebellion in the east - AFDL advances - fall of Kinshasa

The AFDL alliance forces

Kabila's Congo, 1996-97 - from FAZ to FAC

Africa's first continental war, 1998-2002 36

Kabila's purge of Rwandans in favour of Katangans - revolt in the east - increasing foreign involvement

Major campaigns: the battles for Bukavu, Kitona, Mbuji-Mayi, Ilebo, Ikela, Mbandaka, Pweto

FAC strength and command - units - Kabila's allies

Rebel forces and allied contingents

Plate Commentaries 43

Index 48