Baramoto Kpama Kata

General Baramoto Kpama Kata, commander of the Civil Guard, was, like many generals, promoted on the basis of ethnic and family ties rather than merit. A former police officer with little to no military training, he received his job because he is Mobutu's brother-in-law, having married a sister of Mobutu's first wife. He has commanded the Civil Guard since 1988. Widely seen as a hard-liner, he is feared by the populace for his ruthlessness and brutality in curtailing dissent to the regime, most notably the massacre of students at the University of Lubumbashi, which led to severe repercussions abroad. As a political appointee, he enjoys little support from rank and file soldiers. He is a close ally to the President and serves as one of his top security advisors.