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MANUFACTURING SOVEREIGNTY AND MANIPULATING HUMANITARIANISM: THE DIPLOMATIC RESOLUTION OF THE MERCENARY REVOLT IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, 1967–8

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 August 2019

JEREMY RICH
JEREMY RICH*
Affiliation:
Marywood University*
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Abstract

In 1967, European and Katangese mercenaries revolted against the rule of Mobutu Sese Seko in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) intervened to try to have the rebels peacefully leave the DRC. Katangese troops who fled to Rwanda with white mercenaries were forced by the Organization of African Unity and the Rwandan government to return to the DRC, where they were eventually executed. White mercenaries, under the protection of the ICRC and Rwanda, ultimately escaped Mobutu's wrath. Congolese and Rwandan leaders skillfully employed the ideal of African sovereignty and humanitarian rhetoric with its Western and African allies to ensure their consolidation of power.

Keywords

diplomacyhuman rightsrefugeesrebellioninternational relationsThe Democratic Republic of CongoRwanda
Type
Postcolonial politics in the diplomatic archives
Information
The Journal of African History , Volume 60 , Issue 2 , July 2019 , pp. 277 - 296
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019 

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Footnotes

*

I would like to acknowledge the Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa and Marywood University for funding the archival research for this article. An early version of this essay was presented at the 2018 Canadian Association of African Studies. My thanks to Meredith Terretta and the anonymous reviewers for their comments. All errors are my responsibility, of course. Author's e-mail: [email protected]

References

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37 Ambassador to Rwanda Leo Cyr to McBride, 21 August 1967, Folder POL 23–9 The Congo 8/20/1967, Box 2534, RG 59, NARA II; McBride to Secretary of State, 29 August 1967, Folder POL 23–9 8/20/67, RG 59, NARA II.

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42 René-Jean Wilhelm to CICR Genève, 23 September 1967, Folder BAG 232 227–026, ACICR.

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54 Theodor Curchod to CICR Genève, 18 September 1967, Folder BAG 232 229–026, ACICR.

55 René-Jean Wilhelm to CICR Genève, 21 September 1967, Folder BAG 232 227–026, ACICR.

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58 Michel Martin, Procès-Verbal, Prince Saddrudin Aga Khan, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 6 October 1967, Folder BAG 232 227–026, ACICR.

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60 Ambassador to Portugal William Bennett Jr. to Secretary of State, 18 November, Folder 23–9 The Congo 11/10/67, Box 2537, RG 59, NARA II.

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78 Ibid.

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80 René-Jean Wilhelm to CICR Genève, 20 November 1967, Folder BAG 232 229–027, ACICR.

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90 Ibid.

91 American Consul Lubumbashi William Harrop to American Embassy Kinshasa, 8 December 1967, Folder 23–9 The Congo 12/1/67, Box 2537, RG 59, NARA II.

92 Ambassador to Belgium Ridgway Knight to Secretary of State, 23 December 1967, Folder 23–9 The Congo 12/1/67, Box 2537, RG 59, NARA II.

93 Ambassador to France Charles Bohlen to Secretary of State, 19 December 1967, Folder 23–9 The Congo 12/1/67, Box 2537, RG 59, NARA II; Ambassador to Belgium Ridgway Knight to Secretary of State, 18 January 1968, Folder 23–9 The Congo 1/1/1968, Box 2537, RG 59, NARA II.

94 Jean de Preux to CICR Genève, 6 December 1967, Folder BAG 232 229–027, ACICR; Maurice Rossel, ‘Un départ en avion’, 19 December 1967, Folder BAG 232 229–027, ACICR.

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96 Joseph Désire-Mobutu, ‘Declaration du Gouvernement de la République Démocratique du Congo à Khartoum’, 3 January 1968, Folder BAG 232 229–052, ACICR.

97 ‘Déclaration du Président Kayibanda relative aux émissions de l'Agence congolaise de presse sur les mercenaires de Schramme’, 10 January 1968, Folder BAG 232 229–052, ACICR.

98 Ibid.

99 Procès-verbal de la séance du Comité du Président du CICR, 21 December 1967, Folder BAG 232 229–030, ACICR.

100 Jean de Heller to CICR Genève, 9 January 1968, Folder BAG 232 229–050, ACICR.

101 Jean de Heller to CICR Genève, Procès-verbal de téléphone, Jeanne Egger, 8 February 1968, Folder BAG 232 229–050, ACICR.

102 McBride to Secretary of State, 26 December 1967, Folder 23–9 The Congo 12/1/67, Box 2537, RG 59, NARA II.

103 ‘570. Telegram from the Embassy of Zambia to the Department of State’ 5 January 1968, FRUS, 1964–1968, Vol. XXIII, Congo, 1960–1968, https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v23/d570

104 Ibid.

105 ‘571. Telegram from the Department of State to the Embassy in the Congo’, FRUS, Volume XXIII, Congo, 1960–1968, history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v23/d571.

106 Victor Martin to CICR Genève, 7 February 1968, Folder BAG 232 229–050, ACICR.

107 Documents diplomatiques français (1 janvier – 29 juin 1968), 366.

108 Jeanne Egger to CICR Genève, 19 February 1968, Folder BAG 232 229–050, ACICR.

109 Ibid. 20 February 1968, Folder BAG 232 229–050, ACICR.

110 Ibid.

111 ‘572. Telegram from the Department of State to the Embassy in Kenya’ FRUS, Volume XXIII, The Congo, 1960–1968, history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v23/d572.

112 Jeanne Egger, Procès-verbal de téléphone, MM. Borsinger et Payot, 29 February 1968, Folder BAG 232 229–050, ACICR.

113 Heino to Pierre Micheli, 21 February 1968, Folder BAG 232 229–050, ACICR.

114 Georg Hoffmann to CICR Genève, 8 March 1968, Folder BAG 232 229–050, ACICR.

115 Ibid.

116 Ibid.

117 Georg Hoffmann to CICR Genève, 20 March 1968, Folder BAG 232 229–050, ACICR.

118 Ibid. 28 March 1968, Folder BAG 232 229–050, ACICR.

119 Ibid. 1 and 8 April 1968, Folder BAG 232 229–050, ACICR.

120 Jean de Heller to Georg Hoffmann, 17 April 1968, Folder BAG 232 299–051, ACICR.

121 Jeanne Egger, ‘Fouille effectués à Kigali avant l'embarquement des mercenaires’, 6 May 1968, Folder BAG 232 299–051, ACICR.

122 Georg Hoffman, ‘Rapport No.3 Concerne mission de M. G. Hoffman à Kinshasa du 9 juin au 27 juin 1968’ 6 July 1968, Folder BAG 121 229–008, ACICR.

123 Ibid.

124 A. Mockler, The Mercenaries (London, 1969), 152.

125 Erik Kennes, personal email communication, 11 June 2018.

126 American Consul Lubumbashi to Secretary of State, 22 November 1968, Folder POL 23–9 The Congo 1/1/1968, Box 2537 Central Foreign Policy Files 1967–1969, RG 59, NARA II.

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