The Tunisian Government Gives the Green Light to the Participation of the Tunisian Army in the Peacekeeping Mission in the Congo
A race against time began for the Tunisian general staff. In just a few days, they had to form, by drawing on existing units and through volunteering, two infantry battalions that took the name of the 9th and 10th battalions. The general staff worked non-stop, day and night, to create, organize, equip, arm, and prepare 2,500 men to depart for a theater of operations located thousands of kilometers away from our country.
The Deployment of the Tunisian Contingent
The volunteers came from all over. The units stationed on the border were hardly called upon, and for good reason. On July 14, 1960, the first soldiers of the famous Tunisian contingent, commanded by Colonel Lasmar Bouzaiane, left for Léopoldville to live an epic adventure that would last three years. The brigade was composed of two infantry battalions and a few support services, including a music company that would have great success. We won the bet of being the first Blue Helmets to set foot on Congolese soil, and a gigantic air bridge, composed essentially of American Globemasters, allowed the transport of the entire contingent in just a few days.
The Missions of the United Nations Forces
The United Nations forces gathering in Léopoldville had four main missions:
- Replace the Belgian units that maintained order,
- Take the place of the uncertain troops of the ANC, repress their undesirable activities, and subsequently try to make them a reliable force,
- Establish the freedom of movement of United Nations forces throughout the country,
- Be prepared to prevent any unilateral intervention from outside.
The Mission of the Tunisian Brigade
The Tunisian brigade, after receiving specific equipment, was tasked with the province of Kassai, whose prime minister, Albert Kalonji, was about to proclaim independence. The mission received by the Tunisian brigade was to "ensure the maintenance of security and public order" in the province, while neutralizing the ANC and disarming it, as it was acting in uncontrolled bands and terrorizing the population. This last mission was accomplished in a very short time.
The Pacification of the Province
We spent hours and hours "talking" with the tribal chiefs, explaining to them that there was no difference between a Lulua, a Baluba, a Batshok, or a Botendé. We reminded them that all four tribes were full-fledged Congolese, with the same rights and duties, and that they formed together the beautiful province of Kassai with a single people condemned to live together in safety and harmony. It was not easy to convince the tribal chiefs, who, having had dozens of men killed in these fratricidal and useless combats, thought only of taking revenge and striking back.
The Success of the Tunisian Brigade
Our officers and non-commissioned officers shone with intelligence and know-how: they were able to establish excellent relations with the population in a very short time. Our belonging to Africa was a positive factor and a determining argument that brought us closer to the local population. The population, sensitive to our sincere discourse and our frank willingness to help, listened to us and appreciated us. This greatly facilitated our task.
The New Mission of the Tunisian Brigade
In October 1960, the command of the United Nations forces decided to swap the Tunisian brigade with the Ghanaian brigade to entrust it with the mission of maintaining order and security in the capital, Léopoldville, which had several million inhabitants. The command wanted to move the Ghanaian brigade away from Léopoldville to prevent it from becoming further involved in Congolese affairs, as Ghana had, from the start, taken the side of Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba.
The Incident at the Ghanaian Ambassador's Residence
In November 1960, a group of ANC soldiers surrounded the residence of the Ghanaian ambassador, who had just been declared persona non grata, with troops supported by two armored cars. The Congolese soldiers had come to arrest him, and, according to them, with the intention of expelling him. Benefiting from diplomatic immunity, his residence was under the protection of the United Nations forces, like certain other embassies. A Tunisian detachment was ensuring its guard. Faced with the insistence of the ANC elements who wanted to arrest the ambassador at all costs, and after long hours of discussion, and following the refusal of the Tunisian detachment to let them pass, the Congolese opened fire on our troops. This was a long and intense exchange of fire with our troops, which, using their right to self-defense, responded energetically. This was the most serious and most serious incident that the United Nations forces, in general, and the Tunisian troops, in particular, had to face during their six months of presence in the country. This unfortunate incident would be tendentiously exploited by anti-United Nations political parties. (To be continued).
B.B.K. (*) Former deputy chief of staff of the Army, former Blue Helmet in the Congo and Katanga, former governor.
Note: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not engage the publication. They are the expression of a personal point of view.
