DCI BRIEFING FOR THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82R00025R000400220018-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 6, 2005
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: February 5, 1965
• Content Type: BRIEF

ApprovT0 le EGF&
BRIEFING FOR
HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
THE CONGO SITUATION
I. If I may now turn to the Congo--
Since the capture of Stanleyville, Tshombe's govern-
ment has managed to keep the military initiative,
but the rebels are receiving substantial outside
support, and the tide could turn.
A. The main rebel force collapsed when Stanleyville
fell, but largely uncoordinated insurgent bands
continue to resist, and there are signs that a
new army may be forming in the northeast, armed
with Communist-made weapons and trained by
radical Africans.
(MAP, The Congo)
B. A 5000-man government force is holding Stanley-
Ville, but ventures out into the countryside
only in armed convoys.
C. Rebels continue to hold sizable areas elsewhere,
notably around Fizi on Lake Tanganyika.
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II. Mercenaries and aircraft are primarily responsible
for government successes so far.
A. There are about 700 ground mercenaries in
the Congo now, of whom 200 are deployed.
1. Four hundred are Rhodesian and South
African. All'but 100 of these are new
arrivals, training in Kamina.
2. The rest are Europeans, mostly Belgian
and French.
B. Tshombe's air force, though small, has been
extremely effective against the rebels.
1. The US has loaned the central government
five B-26's and twelve T-28's, which are
flown and maintained by Cubans.
2. Three US Air Force C-130's used for
resupply are also in the Congo.
3. Finally, Tshombe has a small force of T-6's,
some his own, some supplied by the Italians,
piloted by the mercenaries under Tshombe's
control.
C. The 30,000-man Congo Army contains a few
moderately good units, but it is still largely
ineffective and fights well only when accom-
panied by mercenaries or supported by air.
III. The main rebel military force lost what small cohesion
it had when the government captured its communications
at Stanleyyville.
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A. The principal rebel leaders fled, leaving the
rebellion to run itself, while they sought
outside assistance.
1. Of the insurgent leaders, only one, "The
People's Liberation Army" General Olenga,
showed much ability to command.
2. The nominal rebel chief, Christophe
Gbenye, is unimpressive.
B. The rank and file insurgents, although some-
times imbued with a feeling of loyalty towards
"African nationalism," are for the most part
primitive tribesmen, many barely out of their
teens. They included Congo Army deserters
interlaced with a few Congolese trained in the
bloc and in radical African countries.
C. Government mercenaries, particularly in the
northeast, have recently noted a marked
improvement in rebel tactics and fire power.