Difference between revisions of "Military relations of Zaire"

Revision as of 00:42, 22 January 2007

One of the key tenets to Mobutu's success - and survival - it has been argued, is his vast array of foreign partners, whose loyalty he has adeptly exploited to keep his nation and military affloat. The diversity of his patrons - and his skillful use at pitting them against one another when necessary - has ensured that, whatever happens, at least some nations will always be loyal to him. Mobutu's cooling relations with the West means that his primary allies of the past - France, Belgium, and the U.S.A. - do not contribute nearly as much to Zaire's defense as they did before. Zaire's closest military ally is Parthia, which pays for nearly 70% of the FAZ's budget and is responsible for training the army, navy, and air force. Parthia also has a contingent of SAVAK agents permanently stationed in Kinshasa, where they train SNIP agents. Parthia has intervened militarily to save Mobutu at least three times in the past - during Shaba I, Shaba II, and most notably during the Great Central African War - and would readily do so again, if needed.

Another traditional ally, the People's Republic of China, plays a pivotal role, albeit reduced in recent years. Much of the Zairian military's technicians, repairmen, and engineers are Chinese, and China pays for many of Zaire's military expenditures. China's main source of aid, however, is non-military; China sends more than 1,000 technicians annually to work on agriculture and forestry projects.

Two new friendships Mobutu has cultivated are with The Transylvania and Roach-Busters. Through Zaire's membership in the Dominion Commonwealth, it enjoys protection from the alliance's founder (The Transylvania) and other members. The Transylvania's ruler, Count JWolf, has pledged his full support to Mobutu in the past, and many a would-be invader has backed off at the prospect of capturing JWolf's ire. Just as important, Transylvanian advisors provide the bulk of the Kamanyola Division's training. Zaire's intimate ties to Parthia and staunch anticommunism make it an attractive patron to Roach-Busters, which recently signed a non-aggression pact, a treaty of friendship and cooperation, and a mutual defense treaty with the foreign minister of Zaire, Mr. Jean Nguza Karl-i-Bond. In addition to extensive humanitarian aid - mainly in the areas of health and education - Roach-Busters provides training for the Civil Guard and the National Gendarmerie.

Zaire enjoys warm relations with its neigbor to the south, the Union of South Africa. South Africa is its largest trading partner by far, as well as a major donor of foreign aid. Zairian and South African intelligence regularly exchange information, and the two nations cooperate closely on counter-terrorism, border patrol, anti-smuggling, etc. The Zairian and South African militaries also hold war games annually. The friendship, which bloomed due to their close collaboration during the Angolan Civil War, has grown stronger in recent years, and Zaire now counts the Union of South Africa among its closest allies. Speaking of Angola, that country, ruled for years by a totalitarian Communist dictatorship, is now firmly in the Western camp, since Dr. Jonas Savimbi's Zairian-backed victory in 1999. Zaire and Angola have signed a mutual defense treaty as well as a treaty of friendship and cooperation.

In addition to the above-mentioned countries, other countries which aid Zaire militarily are France (which helps fund the defense budget of Zaire); Morocco (which has signed a mutual defense treaty with Zaire, and also provides Moroccan bodyguards for Mobutu); Egypt (which provides volunteer pilots for the Zairian air force); Israel (which trains the Special Presidential Division); most (but not Algeria or Libya) Arab countries (which provide non-lethal military supplies and funding for the military) and Chad, Togo, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, and Gabon (which annually stage war games with Zairian forces and have mutual defense treaties with Zaire).

The Phoenix Milita is the primary supplier of Zaire's military equipment, followed closely by Parthia and the Union of South Africa.