National Service for Intelligence and Protection

The National Service for Intelligence and Protection (French: Service National d'Intelligence et de Protection, better known by the acronym "SNIP") is both the secret police organization of Zaire as well as its intelligence organization. It has undergone several name changes over the years: among its previous incarnations were the National Documentation Center (Centre Nationale de Documentation, or "CND") and the National Documentation Agency (Agence Nationale de Documentation, or "AND"). Its first incarnation was the CND, established in 1969 as a successor to the Sûreté Nationale, a special-purpose police and investigative unit established by the Belgian colonial authorities. It has had the name "SNIP" since August of 1990. It is currently headed by Honoré Ngbanda Nzambo-ku-Atumba.

SNIP enjoys total impunity, and readily utilizes whatever methods it wishes, be they rape, torture, or murder, to carry out its other purpose: intimidating and curtailing dissent. SNIP operates its own interrogation centers and prisons and relies on a vast network of informers. There is a rumor that SNIP even has intelligence agents abroad, notably in Europe, which infiltrate anti-Mobutu groups operating in exile. Due to its highly politicized nature, SNIP's assessments are regarded by critics - mostly outside Zaire - as being of dubious nature. Nevertheless, few would deny its efficiency, and ruthlessness, in suppressing any semblance of opposition to the government. Recently, Shah Khosru III has ordered the deployment of SAVAK agents to Zaire to train SNIP.