Republican Guard (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
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The Republican Guard (French: Garde Républicaine) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly known as the Special Presidential Security Group (Groupe Spécial de Sécurité Présidentielle, GSSP), is maintained by President Félix Tshisekedi. Military of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) military officials state that the Garde Républicaine is not the responsibility of FARDC, but the Head of State.[1] 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 In February 2005, President Joseph Kabila passed a decree which appointed the GR's commanding officer and 'repealed any previous provisions contrary' to that decree.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 (the ICG said 10,000–15,000 in January 2007), and formerly consisted of three brigades, the 10th, at Kinshasa, the 15th, and the 16th, at Lubumbashi[2] (more recently it has been reorganized into defense zones and regiments).[3] It has better working conditions and is paid regularly, but still commits numerous crimes near their bases, including against United Nations officials.[4]
Republican Guard | |
---|---|
Active | c. mid-2000s – present |
Country | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Allegiance | President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Branch | Independent |
Type | Republican guard |
Role | Security of the president |
Size | 10,000–15,000 |
Headquarters | Kinshasa |
Commanders | |
Commander-in-chief | President Félix Tshisekedi |
Commander | Christian Tshiwewe |
It is said to be part of the Military Household (Maison Militaire) of the President, which are the DRC's state security agencies, and has been used against President Kabila's political opposition. The Republican Guard has been accused, by the United States, the United Nations, and numerous human rights groups of undermining the democratic process in the country by harassing political rivals, targeting opposition parties, abusing journalists, arbitrarily detaining and executing civilians, and preventing public gatherings.[5][6]