Pro-Government Militias
Special Presidential Division (Congo Kinshasa)
Basic Group Information
| Name assigned by coder: | no |
| PGM ID Number: | 413 |
| Country: | Congo Kinshasa |
| Date formed: | Feb. 1, 1978 |
| Accuracy of date formed: | year |
| Details of Formation: | The Special Presidential Brigade was created by President Mobutu and was charged to ensure his personal security. Sources first mention the PGM in 1978. In 1985, the militia expanded and was named the Special Presidential Division (DSP). (Wikipedia) |
| Date dissolved: | May 19, 1997 |
| Accuracy of date dissolved: | day |
| Details of Termination: | In 1997 a source reports that there were growing demands to disband Mobutu’s Presidential Guard. After Mobutu fled the country in 1997 and there was a new government installed, the group ceased to be a PGM. |
| Termination Type(s): | change in government |
Former and Successor Group Information
| Predecessor group(s): | none |
| Successor group(s): | none |
| Private Military Company? | no |
| Former Group? | no |
| Former Armed Group? | NA |
| Former Rebel Group? | NA |
| Former Rebel Group UCDP ID: | none |
| PGM Becomes Rebel Group? | no |
| Successor Rebel Group UCDP ID: | none |
Government Relation, Support, and Training
| Government Relation: | semi-official (type 2) |
| Created by the Government?: | yes | Main Creating Government Institution: | person/minister |
| Government Link(s): | person/minister |
| If link to party, name of party: | |
| Training and Equipment: | yes |
| Shared Information and Joint Operations: | yes |
| Shared Personnel: | unclear |
| Type(s) of Material Support: | domestic government; plunder and loot |
| State Sponsor(s): | none |
| Other Connection(s): |
Group Characteristics
| Membership: | ethnic; security forces |
| Primary Membership: | ethnic |
| Alternative Primary Membership: | no information |
| Location: | Kishasa; Equateur Province |
| Force Strength: | [6500, 20000] |
| Target(s): | unarmed political opposition, government critics; rebels, insurgents, or other armed group; regular military force; journalists |
| Purpose(s): | protect state, national or religious leader(s); intelligence gathering; intimidation of civilians; intimidate political opposition; fight insurgents |
Ethnic Characteristics
| Ethnic Target(s): | none |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Targeting: | not applicable |
| Ethnic Membership: | Ngbandi (DRC) |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Membership: | given |
| Ethnic Purpose: | none |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Purpose: | not applicable |
Other Information
| Other Information: |
New Variables from Meta-Analysis
Purpose
| Purpose: | President Mobutu used the militia to curb anti-government protests and political opposition. |
| Relative Benefit(s) of PGM Use | coup-proofing |
Treatment of Civilians
| Treatment of Civilians: | The militia used extreme violence to suppress political opposition and potential threats to President Mobutu’s rule. As this was the militia’s purpose, the government supported their behaviour. |
| Type(s) of Violence against Civilians: | kidnapping/abductions; killing; torture |
Reasons for Membership
| PGM Members Coerced? | no |
| PGM Members Paid? | yes |
| Reasons for Membership: | Militia members were mostly from Mobutu’s home region Equateur and joined the PGM because of their ethnic ties. |
| PGM Members Killed? | never |
PGM Size
| Size: | The militia is comprised of 6,500 to 20,000 members. In 1986, Mobutu began to expand the militia which is also why it was renamed at that point. (Wikipedia) |
Weapons and Training
| Weapons and Training: | The bodyguard unit was trained by Israeli advisors and was regularly paid by the Congolese government. Furthermore, they received weapons from the government. |
Organisation
| Organisation: | The DSP was commanded by Mobutu's relative, General Etienne Nzimbi Ngbale Kongo wa Basa. By paying the militiamen regularly and adequately, Mobutu ensured to have full control over them. (Wikipedia) |
Reference(s) for Meta-Analysis
Evidence
- Examine the evidence for this coding.