5 Commando (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
The 5 Commando was a mercenary unit of the Congolese National Army (Armée Nationale Congolaise, or ANC) formed in response to the Simba rebellion. They were trained to be commandos, and had their own air support unit. 5 Commando was active from 1964 to 1967. Mercenary recruitment In December 1963, a Communist-inspired rebellion broke out in Kwilu Province. It was initially a tribal dispute that grew to a challenge against the Central Government. Although it remained relatively minor, it marked the start of a spreading wave of rebellions against the current Congo central government. As unrest spread, leftist rebels established a Committee for National Liberation in Kivu, inspired by the late Patrice Lubumba. In 1964, Moïse Tshombe returned from self-exile in Spain and declared himself as the only person who could bring about unity between the warring factions. His popularity and political acumen led him to being appointed as Prime Minister on 6 July 1964. By August, the rebellion had turned to limited civil war, and the Simba rebels were marching on Stanleyville, taking control of the city on 5 August 1964. The routing of the ANC and capitulation of the capital city of Orientale Province came as a shock